How does RCRA define hazardous waste?

• A. Waste that is only toxic
• B. Waste that either exhibits a specific hazardous characteristic (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity) or is listed on one of the hazardous waste lists.
• C. Waste that is unregulated
• D. Waste that is non-recyclable

Answer: (B)

RCRA defines hazardous waste by two paths: the waste either appears on EPA’s hazardous waste lists or it exhibits one or more of four hazardous characteristics. The lists include wastes from specific sources (K-list and F-list) and discarded commercial chemical products (P and U lists). If a waste isn’t listed, it can still be hazardous if it shows ignitability (easily flammable), corrosivity (very acidic or very basic or corrosive to metals), reactivity (unstable or capable of dangerous reactions or gas generation), or toxicity (containing contaminants that can leach out and harm people or the environment, as determined by the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure). This combination of listing and characteristics is what defines a waste as hazardous under RCRA.