How Can I Eliminate the Guesswork in Identifying Hazardous Wastes?
• Check information from suppliers-e.g., container labels, invoice descriptions or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)-information about the characteristics of chemicals may help determine if the waste from a relatively simple process is a characteristic waste due to the nature of the chemicals that are used. Under the Hazard Communication Rule administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, chemical manufacturers and distributors of hazardous materials must supply an MSDS for their products. • Contact other businesses with the same or similar operations. • Contact your trade association. • Finally, in order to determine if your waste is hazardous, it may be appropriate to have it tested by a private laboratory. Many transporters and treatment and disposal facilities require test results. Appendix D contains a list of commercial laboratories certified by the DNR Office of Technical Services. The Office of Technical Services also publishes, “A User’s Guide to Laborator
