Introduction

This guidebook can be an effective tool to help you initiate, improve, and/or maintain a comprehensive waste management and reduction program. Included are a regulatory overview, step-by-step guidance on waste minimization, "success stories" in the beginning of each chapter, appendices offering helpful tips and additional sources of assistance, and directories to equipment and service providers. Use the Table of Contents to direct you to the topics of interest and importance to your firm.

This chapter will help you answer the following questions:

• WHO DOES THIS GUIDE APPLY TO? Do you know if your business generates hazardous waste? Use the included checklists to help you find out.
• WHY SHOULD I PRACTICE WASTE MINIMIZATION? Discover the benefits of and legal incentives for waste minimization.
• WHAT EXACTLY IS EASTE MINIMIZATION? Learn about key waste management concepts and typical waste minimization opportunities.

Who Does This Guide Apply To? Any business which generates hazardous waste should implement waste minimization practices as part of a cost-effective compliance strategy. If you are not sure whether your business generates hazardous waste, read the rest of this section to help you make a determination. If you already know your business generates hazardous waste, skip the rest of this section and go on to "Why Do Waste Minimization?"

What is "Hazardous Waste?"

A hazardous wasteis any discarded material that may pose a substantial threat or potential hazard to human health or the environment. A waste is considered hazardous if it is (as defined in CCR, Title 22, Division 4):

• IGNITABLE      • CORROSIVE     • REACTIVE      • TOXIC

Under California law there are no exemptions for small quantities. Businesses producing any amount of hazardous waste are subject to the hazardous waste generator laws and requirements.

While it would be impossible to list all of the activities that generate hazardous waste, the following checklists can give you an idea whether or not your business generates hazardous waste:

Does your business use any of the following materials?

• oils or other petroleum products
• dyes, paints, printing inks, thinner solvents, or cleaning fluids
• pesticides or other related chemicals
• acids or bases which can dissolve metals, wood, paper, or clothing
• flammable materials
• products accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet or a label indicating that the product is hazardous
• photographic solutions

Is your business within one of the following categories?

Aerospace Industry/ Subcontractor Building Cleaning/Maintenance Chemical Formulation/ Distribution Construction Trades Dry Cleaning Educational/Vocational Shop Electronics Manufacturing Furniture Manufacturing/ Refinishing Laboratory Machine Shop Mechanical Equipment Repair

Metal Fabrication Metal Finishing/Plating Painting/Stripping Paint Formulation Parts Cleaning Pesticide Applicators Photo-/X-ray Processing Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Printing/Allied Industries Semiconductor Manufacturing Vehicle Maintenance/Repair Wood Preserving

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Other "Wastes"

Wastewater discharges to the sewage treatment plant and air emissions are also regulated. You should consider releases to all media (land, air, water) when you determine regulatory responsibilities and plan waste reduction efforts.

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