Most waste is broadly categorized under the term solid waste. Despite its name, solid waste can be a solid, semisolid, liquid, or a contained gas. It includes any garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, agricultural operations, or community activities. They can be considered Municipal or Non-Municipal Solid Waste. Certain types of waste are excluded from this definition. If a solid waste is considered to be hazardous, then it is more specifically defined as hazardous waste, and it is managed by other rules.
Another way to think about waste is to see where the waste comes from. Different types of waste can come from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. These wastes should be managed according to solid waste, hazardous waste, septage, biosolids, and/or Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) regulations. Producers of these wastes are responsible for properly handling, storing, transporting for proper disposal, or treatment/processing.
Waste Generators
Waste Generators have a responsibility to manage waste according to environmental regulations. All waste generators, except households, are required by law to determine if any of their waste is hazardous waste (see 329 IAC 10-7.2). A waste determination is made at the point of generation for each waste generated at their site. The waste determination can be done using generator knowledge of the products and processes used, or by having the waste analyzed. It is the responsibility of the generator to ensure their wastes are properly managed and disposed. Generator must keep records of waste evaluations and other information used to determine what type of waste you have.
Waste Determination
If your solid waste is determined [PDF] to be non-hazardous, you must then determine if it contains regulated levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides, asbestos, infectious, or other physical or chemical characteristics defined in 329 IAC 10-7.2-1 that would require special handling when processing or disposing it. Management requirements for these solid wastes can be found at 329 IAC 8.2. Regulatory requirements for wastes containing regulated levels of PCBs can be found in the Indiana Administrative Code at 329 IAC 4.1. Special requirements for waste pesticides can be found in the Indiana Code at IC 15-16-4-68. Industrial solid waste must receive a waste classification to be disposed in a restricted waste landfill.