RCRA rules for solvent-contaminated wipes Rags & wipes soaked in degreasers & thinners.
- Free, no account
- Based on 40 CFR Part 261 and EPA guidance
- Nothing is stored
Find a federal hazardous waste code
Solvent-contaminated wipes: 20 codes.
Solvent-contaminated wipes
Identify the solvent contaminants and whether wipes will be reused or disposed of. See the solvent-contaminated wipes guide for exclusions and management routes.
F-listed waste
Spent halogenated solvents used for degreasing
Solvent in solvent-contaminated wipes removed oil or grease and meets F001 composition conditions
When to use F001F-listed waste
Spent halogenated solvents
Used solvent in solvent-contaminated wipes meets F002 before-use conditions regardless of degreasing use
When to use F002F-listed waste
Spent non-halogenated solvents: acetone, xylene and related solvents
The spent-solvent component of solvent-contaminated wipes meets F003 neat-solvent or blend conditions
When to use F003F-listed waste
Spent cresol, cresylic acid and nitrobenzene solvents
The original solvent recipe for solvent-contaminated wipes meets F004's named-solvent or blend test
When to use F004F-listed waste
Spent toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and related solvents
Before-use ingredients of solvent in solvent-contaminated wipes satisfy F005 composition conditions
When to use F005Characteristic hazardous waste
Ignitable waste
Wipes are ignitable
When to use D001U-listed waste
Acetone
Wipes contain unused acetone meeting U002
When to use U002U-listed waste
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
Wipes contain unused methyl ethyl ketone meeting U159
When to use U159U-listed waste
Toluene
Wipes contain unused toluene meeting U220
When to use U220U-listed waste
Xylene
Wipes contain unused xylene meeting U239
When to use U239Characteristic hazardous waste
Benzene
Benzene leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D018Characteristic hazardous waste
Carbon tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D019Characteristic hazardous waste
Chlorobenzene
Chlorobenzene leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D021Characteristic hazardous waste
Chloroform
Chloroform leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D022Characteristic hazardous waste
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D028Characteristic hazardous waste
1,1-Dichloroethylene
1,1-Dichloroethylene leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D029Characteristic hazardous waste
Methyl ethyl ketone
Methyl ethyl ketone leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D035Characteristic hazardous waste
Tetrachloroethylene
Tetrachloroethylene leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D039Characteristic hazardous waste
Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D040Characteristic hazardous waste
Vinyl chloride
Vinyl chloride leaching from solvent-contaminated wipes reaches the TCLP limit
When to use D043
ComplyOnSiteWhich RCRA codes apply to solvent-contaminated wipes?
The definition takes in F001–F005 solvents, their P- or U-listed forms and any characteristic those solvents cause. The U codes named here are examples.
| Code | When it applies |
|---|---|
| F001 | Used to remove oil or grease, and meets the F001 composition conditions |
| F002 | Meets the F002 before-use conditions, whether or not it was used for degreasing |
| F003 | The solvent component meets the F003 neat-solvent or blend conditions |
| F004 | The original recipe meets F004's named-solvent or blend test |
| F005 | The before-use ingredients meet the F005 composition conditions |
| D001 | The wipes are ignitable |
| U002 | The wipes hold unused acetone that meets U002 |
| U159 | The wipes hold unused methyl ethyl ketone that meets U159 |
| U220 | The wipes hold unused toluene that meets U220 |
| U239 | The wipes hold unused xylene that meets U239 |
| D018 | Benzene in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D019 | Carbon tetrachloride in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D021 | Chlorobenzene in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D022 | Chloroform in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D028 | 1,2-Dichloroethane in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D029 | 1,1-Dichloroethylene in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D035 | Methyl ethyl ketone in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D039 | Tetrachloroethylene in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D040 | Trichloroethylene in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
| D043 | Vinyl chloride in the leachate reaches the TCLP limit |
How do I prove the code for solvent-contaminated wipes?
Keep wipes for no more than 180 days in closed, non-leaking containers labeled “Excluded Solvent-Contaminated Wipes.”
Before shipment, remove free liquids and keep records of the receiving facility, 180-day compliance and the no-free-liquids process.
Send reusable wipes to a laundry or dry cleaner. Any discharge must be regulated under Clean Water Act sections 301 and 402 or 307.
Send disposable wipes to a qualifying Part 258 or hazardous-waste landfill, or to a qualifying municipal or hazardous-waste combustor, boiler or industrial furnace.
Disposable wipes that are hazardous because of trichloroethylene aren't eligible. Wipes are also ineligible if they hold listed non-solvent waste or are toxic, corrosive or reactive from non-solvent contaminants.
Removed free liquid stays regulated. Whether the federal exclusion is available depends on whether the state has adopted it.
Is there another way to manage solvent-contaminated wipes?
The wipes exclusions need closed containers, no free liquid, records, time limits and approved destinations.
Check the Loss-of-characteristic rule for another route.