Other Landfill Requirements

There are a number of types of hazardous waste that may be placed in a landfill only if they meet special requirements. These include the following:

• Designated hazardous waste, such as dioxin-bearing wastes, may not be placed in a landfill unless the facility operates with a specific, approved management plan for these wastes.
• Ignitable and reactive wastes must no longer meet the definition of a waste that will readily catch fire, explode, or violently react before it can be disposed of in a landfill. If an ignitable type of waste is still active, it may be disposed of in a landfill when protected from sources of ignition. Wastes that are incompatible for any reason may not be placed in the same landfill.
• Free-flowing liquids that are not containerized, including those liquids to which absorption methods have been applied. Containers holding free liquids cannot be placed in a landfill unless they are emptied of all liquid or the liquid has been solidified.

There are some exceptions to the rule against free-flowing liquids, including very small containers, containers designed to hold liquid for reasons other than storage, and "lab packs," or drums filled with many small containers of hazardous waste packed in non-biodegradable absorbent materials. A number of regulations guide the use of such disposal methods. These are designed to ensure that the hazardous waste that is present will not leak, ignite, or react, and that the outer container is appropriate for the use.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.