Storage of Recyclable Materials That Contain Precious Metals

Owners and operators who store recyclable materials used for precious metal recovery must keep records that track the following items:

• Volume of material stored at the beginning of the calendar year
• Amount of materials generated or received during the calendar year
• Amount of materials in storage at the end of the calendar year

The purpose of these records is to document that people who store these materials are not involved in financial speculation. Financial speculation is the practice of maximizing profit by storing a precious metal, or other material, and waiting to sell it until the prices are high. For people who are storing materials for the purpose of financial speculation, as defined in 40 CFR 26.1(c), additional regulations apply (refer to provisions in 40 CFR 262 through 265, 267, 270, and 124).

To learn more about RCRA safety standards visit our RCRA Refresher Online Training web page.