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Nonhazardous Waste
Nonhazardous waste includes all solid waste that does not meet the definition of hazardous waste. Nonhazardous wastes include:
- Batteries
- Cement Kiln Dust
- Construction
& Demolition Debris
C&D debris consists of the materials generated during the construction, renovation, and demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges. This Web site provides information on the current state of C&D debris in the United States and C&D debris reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives. - Crude Oil and Gas Waste
- Fossil Fuel Combustion Waste
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Industrial Waste
Industrial waste consists of the approximately 7.6 billion tons of nonhazardous waste produced by industries in the United States each year. This Web site provides access to tools and recommendations that can help facility managers make environmentally responsible decisions, while managing industrial waste and working in partnership with state and tribal regulators and the public. - Medical Waste
- Mineral Processing Waste
- Mining Waste
- Municipal Solid Waste
MSW, or trash or garbage, is the waste generated by households and commercial institutions. It consists of everyday items such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries. This Web site includes an overview of MSW management and discusses MSW waste reduction, combustion, and landfilling. - Organic Materials
Comprised of yard trimmings, food scraps, wood waste, and paper and paperboard products, organic materials are the largest component of our trash. Reducing, reusing, and recycling are key to diverting organic materials from landfills or incinerators. This Web site provides general information on organic materials, including composting, voluntary initiatives, and other resources. - Scrap Tires
Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed. This Web site provides information about battery reuse and recycling and links to related EPA publications.
CKD is a fine dust generated during the cement production process. This Web site contains information about standards for the management of cement kiln dust waste under RCRA.
Crude oil and gas waste are the wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas resources. This Web site provides the results of EPA studies and its Reports to Congress required by RCRA Section 8002(m).
FCC waste consists of the ash and other residue resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. This Web site supplies information about regulatory issues, EPA Reports to Congress and associated dockets, and stakeholder meetings regarding fossil fuel combustion waste.
Leftover, or unused household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered "household hazardous waste" (HHW). These Web pages describe HHW reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal options; offer related resources; and point to HHW-associated programs, publications, and topics.
Medical waste consists of any solid waste generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals. This Web resource lists the types of medical waste, points to relevant federal and state regulations, and links to federal agencies that regulate different aspects of medical waste management.
Mineral Processing is the process by which the valuable minerals are separated from the native ore. This Web page provides compliance assistance to the mineral processing sector and assists state regulators and the public in understanding the federal requirements regarding the disposal of mineral processing wastes.
Mining waste consists of the waste rock, tailings, and overburden material removed during mineral excavation and extraction. The current mining waste program focuses primarily on hardrock mining (i.e., mining of metallic ores and phosphate rock). This Web resource offers supporting documentation about the Mining Waste Rulemaking Docket and technical documents issued by EPA.
Scrap tires are used automotive tires that are destined for disposal. This Web site offers an overview and statistics on scrap tire management as well as links to state scrap tire legislation and programs. It also describes innovative uses of scrap tires.
These wastes are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA), Subtitle D. For more information, see:
- RCRA Orientation Manual, Section II: Managing Solid Waste - RCRA Subtitle D (PDF) (11 pp, 2.5MB, About PDF)
Other Wastes
Some wastes do meet the regulatory definition of hazardous waste and are typically managed under special, tailored regulations:- Universal
Waste
Universal waste includes batteries, pesticides, lamps (e.g., fluorescent bulbs), and mercury-containing equipment (e.g., thermostats). This Web site provides an overview of the universal waste rule, as well as information on how and where to recycle universal wastes.
- Used Oil
EPA's Used Oil Management Program focuses on the recycling of any petroleum-based or synthetic oil that has been used. This Web site provides information on rules, notices, and regulations regarding used oil management and links to relevant publications.
For more information on these wastes, see:
