Massachusetts Characteristic Waste: What you need to know

Characteristics of hazardous waste: 310 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 30.120 to 30.125

Testing methods: 310 CMR 30.152 to 30.155

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Waste Prevention

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

Wastes may be classified as hazardous because of their characteristics or if they have been placed on hazardous waste lists by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DEP's listed hazardous wastes include the federal list plus additional state listed wastes. See the state sections HAZWASTE DETERMINATION (CLASSIFICATION) and LISTED WASTES for more information.

Many wastes that have been determined not to be hazardous wastes may still be dangerous and have special handling requirements for disposal. Nonhazardous wastes are managed under Massachusetts solid waste regulations. See the state section SOLID WASTE for more information.

Although Massachusetts has received EPA authorization to administer the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) rules, DEP does not have authority to delist RCRA wastes under federal rules 40 CFR 260.22. The federal rules and procedures for delisting petitions are effective in Massachusetts. See the national section DELISTING PETITIONS for more information. However, petitions to delist Massachusetts listed hazardous waste are ...