Motor Freight Terminals/Railroad Transportation
Industry Overview
If your business is in the motor freight terminals/railroad
transportation category, the products you use or transport might
contain hazardous materials and the waste you generate might be
hazardous waste. If you generate hazardous waste, you might be
subject to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) re-
quirements covering the generation, transportation, and manage-
ment of hazardous waste.
Your industry is classified under motor freight terminals/
railroad transportation if you are primarily engaged in:
• The operation of terminal facilities used by highway
vehicles
• The maintenance and service of trucks and other
highway vehicles
• Line haul railroad operations
• The furnishing of terminal facilities for rail passenger
or freight traffic for line haul service
• The movement of railroad cars between terminal
yards.
Hazardous Wastes from Motor Freight
Terminals/Railroad Transportation
Motor freight terminals perform a variety of activities, includ-
ing loading and unloading packaged goods, cleaning offloaded tank
trucks, cleaning and painting trucks, and maintaining highway
vehicles. Most of the hazardous wastes included in this summary
are generated during maintenance activities; motor freight termi-
nals not equipped with maintenance facilities might not generate
some or any of these wastes. Operations that involve cleaning the
inside of offloaded tank trucks generate waste that contains small
amounts of the substance that was shipped. This waste might
also be hazardous.
Waste from the railroad transportation industry predominantly
comes from maintenance operations in which trains are cleaned
and repaired. Routine operations similar to those carried out by
motor freight terminals might generate waste, including strong
acid or alkaline materials, spent cleaning and degreasing solvents,
ignitable paint wastes, used oil, and lead-acid batteries. In addi-
tion, older freight cars with plane bearings might generate lead-
contaminated lubricating pads which might also be hazardous.
Table 1 lists typical processes/operations that use products that
might contain hazardous materials, and that probably generate
hazardous waste. If you generate 100 kilograms (220 pounds or
about half of a 55-gallon drum) or more of hazardous waste per
month, you must fill out a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest
when you ship hazardous waste off your property. The Manifest
requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) description for
each waste. Table 2 lists the DOT shipping descriptions for a
number of wastes that might be generated by motor freight termi-
nals and railroad transportation facilities. Table 1 and Table 2 afe
not comprehensive lists. If you suspect any of your other wastes
is hazardous, contact your state hazardous waste management
agency or EPA Regional office for assistance.
RCRA has special provisions for spent lead-acid batteries and
used oil. You do not have to use a Manifest when you ship used
lead batteries that are destined for recycling or used oil that is
destined for recycling. If, however, you are disposing of used oil
yourself or are sending it offsite for disposal, you generally
should handle it as hazardous waste because it is likely to be ig-
nitable or toxic. Special requirements apply if you are burning
used oil as fuel. Your state might have its own requirements for
lead-acid batteries or used oil; check with your state hazardous
waste management agency.
Waste Minimization
An effective waste minimization program can reduce the costs,
liabilities, and regulatory burdens of hazardous waste manage-
ment, while potentially enhancing efficiency, product quality, and
community relations. Waste minimization techniques that can
help you reduce the amount of hazardous waste that you generate
include:
• Production planning and sequencing
• Process/equipment adjustment or modification
• Raw material substitution
• Loss prevention and housekeeping
• Waste segregation and separation
• Recycling.
Training and supervision of employees implementing waste
minimization techniques is an important part of your successful
program. Call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline toll-free at 800-424-
9346 (or TDD 800-553-7672 for the hearing-impaired) for waste
minimization information and publications.
EPA/530-SW-90-027k
Printed on recycled paper
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Table!
Typical Motor Freight Terminals/Railroad Transportation Operations:
Materials Used and Hazardous Wastes that Might be Generated
Process/ Operation
Materials Used
Typical Material Ingredient
General Types of Waste Generated
Unloading and Cleaning
Tank Trucks or Cars
Dcgrcasing; Engine Parts and
Equipment Cleaning
Rust Removal
Paint Preparation
Painting
Spray Booth, Spray Guns,
and Brush Cleaning
Paint Removal
Changing Lead-Acid
Batteries
Solvents, alkaline cleaners
(see Product Shipping Papers)
Degreasers (gunk), carburetor clean- Petroleum distillates, aromatic hydrocar-
ers, engine cleaners, solvents, acids/ bons, mineral spirits, benzene, toluene,
alkalies, cleaning fluids petroleum naphtha
Naval jelly, strong acids, strong al-
kalies
Paint thinners, enamel reducers,
white spirits
Enamels, lacquers, epoxies, alkyds,
acrylics, primers, solvents
Paint thinners, enamel reducers, sol-
vents, white spirits
Solvents, paint thinners, enamel re-
ducers, white spirits
Phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hy-
drofluoric acid, sodium hydroxide
Alcohols, petroleum distillates, oxygenated
solvents, mineral spirits, ketones
Acetone, toluene, petroleum distillates,
epoxy ester resins, methylene chloride,
xylene, VM&P naphtha, aromatic hydro-
carbons, methyl isobutylketones
Ketones, alcohols, toluene, acetone, iso-
propyl alcohol, petroleum distillates, min-
eral spirits
Acetone, toluene, petroleum distillates,
methanol, methylene chloride, isopropyl
alcohol, mineral spirits, alcohols, ketones,
other oxygenated solvents
Batteries of motor freight vehicles Lead dross
Acid/alkaline wastes
Toxic wastes
Solvent wastes
(Residual tank contents)
Acid/alkaline wastes
Toxic wastes
Ignitable wastes
Solvent wastes
Acid/alkaline wastes
Ignitable wastes
Toxic wastes
Paint wastes
Solvent wastes
Ignitable wastes
Toxic wastes
Paint wastes
Solvent wastes
Paint wastes
Solvent wastes
Toxic wastes
Paint wastes
Solvent wastes
Toxic wastes
Acid/alkaline wastes
Batteries (lead-acid)
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Table 2
Motor Freight Terminals/Railroad Transportation Waste Descriptions1
Waste Type
Designations/Trade Names
DOT Shipping Name
Hazard Class
UN/NA
ID Number
STRONG ACID/ALKALINE WASTES
Ammonium Hydroxide
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid
Nitric Acid
Phosphoric Acid
Potassium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Sulfuric Acid
Chromic Acid
SPENT SOLVENTS AND
Ethylene Dichloride*
Benzene*
Toluene
Ethyl Benzene
Chlorobenzene*
Methyl Ethyl Ketone*
Chloroform*
Carbon Tetrachloride*
Hexachloroethane*
White Spirits, Varsol
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
Petroleum Distillates
Ammonium Hydroxide, NH4OH, Spirit
of Hartshorn, Aqua Ammonia
Hydrobromic Acid, HBr
Hydrochloric Acid, HC1, Muriatic Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid, HP, Fluorohydric
Acid
Nitric Acid, HN02, Aquafortis
Phosphoric Acid, H3P04)
Orthophosphoric Acid
Potassium Hydroxide, KOH, Potassium
Hydrate, Caustic Potash, Potassa
Waste Ammonium Hydroxide (containing not
less than 12% but not more than 44% ammonia)
(containing less than 12% ammonia)
Waste Hydrobromic Acid
Waste Hydrochloric Acid
Waste Hydrofluoric Acid
Waste Nitric Acid (over 40%)
(40% or less)
Waste Phosphoric Acid
Waste Potassium Hydroxide Solution
Dry Solid, Flake, Bead or Granular
Sodium Hydroxide NaOH, Caustic Soda, Waste Sodium Hydroxide Solution
Soda Lye, Sodium Hydrate Dry Solid, Flake, Bead, or Granular
Sulfuric Acid, H2SO4, Oil of Vitriol
Chromic Acid
IGNITABLE OR TOXIC WASTES
Ethylene Dichloride, 1,2-
Dichloroethane
Benzene
Toluene
Ethyl Benzene
Chlorobenzene, Monochlorobenzene,
Phenylchloride
Methyl Ethyl Ketone, MEK, Methyl
Acetone, Meetco, Butanone, Ethyl
Methyl Ketone
Chloroform
Perchloromethane Tetraform, Carbona
Halon 104
Hexachloroethane
White Spirits, Mineral Spirits,
Naphtha
Aerothene TT, Chlorten,
Chloroethane, Methyl Chloroform,
Alpha T, Chlorotene
Petroleum Distillates
Waste Sulfuric Acid
Waste Chromic Acid Solution
CONTAINING:
Waste Ethylene Dichloride
Waste Benzene (benzol)
Waste Toluene (toluol)
Waste Ethyl Benzene
Waste Chlorobenzene
Waste Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Waste Chloroform
Waste Carbon Tetrachloride
Waste Hexachloroethane
Waste Naphtha
Waste 1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
Petroleum Distillate
Corrosive Material
ORM-A
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Oxidizer
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Corrosive Material
Flammable Liquid2
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
ORM-A
ORM-A
ORM-A
Flammable Liquid
ORM-A
Flammable Liquid
Combustible Liquid3
NA2672
NA2672
UN1788
NA1789
UN1790
UN2031
NA1760
UNI 805
UN1814
UN1813
UN1824
UN1823
UN1832
UN1755
UN1184
UNI 114
UN1294
UNI 175 .
UN1134
UNI 193
UN1888
UN1846
NA9037
UN2553
UN2831
UN1268
UN1268
PAINT WASTES WITH HEAVY METALS
Heavy Metal paints with: Heavy Metal Paints
Lead*
Nickel*
Chromium*
Hazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOS4
ORM-E
NA9189
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I 2DI6 I. (continued)
Motor Freight Terminals/Railroad Transportation Waste Descriptions1
Waste Type
OTHER WASTES
Lead-Acid Batteries
Used Oil
Ignitable Wastes, NOS
Hazardous Waste, NOS
Designations/Trade Names
Lead-Acid Batteries
Various petroleum products
Ignitable wastes
DOT Shipping Name
Lead Dross (containing 3% or more free acid)
Waste Petroleum Oil, NOS
Waste Petroleum Oil, NOS
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOS
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOS
Waste Flammable Solid, NOS
Hazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOS
Hazard Class
ORM-C
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Flammable Liquid
Combustible Liquid
Flammable Solid
ORM-E
UN/NA
ID Number
NA1794
NA1270
NA1270
UN1993
NA1993
UN1325
UN9189
* Toxicity Characteristic constituent. Any waste that results in a TCLP extract containing a Toxicity Characteristic constituent equal to or above regulatory
levels is hazardous.
1 These descriptions may change given variations in waste characteristics or conditions. Note that the DOT shipping name, hazard class, and UN/NA ID number
do not directly correspond to RCRA hazardous waste categories.
2 A flammable liquid has a flash point below 100°F.
3 A combustible liquid has a flash point between 100°F and 200°F.
4 NOS - Not otherwise specified.
For further information call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline 1-800-424-9346
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