Improve Environmental Performance
in Academic Laboratories
Managing Laboratory
Hazardous Waste
An Introduction to the
Academic Laboratories Rule
Subpart K
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Subpart K
Alternative Generator Regulations
for Managing Hazardous Waste
in Academic Laboratories
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added 40 CFR Part 262
Subpart Kto the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous
waste generator regulations in December 2008. Subpart K provides standards
for managing hazardous waste in academic laboratories at eligible academic
entities as an alternative to the satellite accumulation area generator regulations.
Subpart K protects public health and the environment by presenting alternative
generator requirements better suited to the specific circumstances of teaching
and research laboratories.
The provisions of Subpart K will bring about safer management of hazardous
waste in academic laboratories by:
Requiring hazardous waste determinations to be made by trained
professionals, rather than students
Requiring hazardous waste to be removed from the laboratory
every six months
Allowing eligible academic entities the flexibility to decide when
and where on-site hazardous waste determinations are made
Offering incentives for removing from the laboratories old and expired
chemicals that may pose risks
Requiring the development of a Laboratory Management Plan,
in which entities specify best waste management practices
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Subpart K's Alternative Regulations
Offer Significant Benefits
For Participating States and Eligible Academic Entities
Increased Laboratory Safety
More accurate hazardous waste determinations by transferring the
responsibility for making hazardous waste determinations to experts
Requires training for students and laboratory workers
• Laboratory clean-out incentives promote reduction of stockpiles
of potentially dangerous old chemicals stored in laboratories
• Time-driven removals ensure hazardous waste is removed from
laboratories on a regular basis
Required Laboratory Management Plan ensures safer laboratory
practices and increased awareness of hazardous waste management
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Subpart K's Alternative Regulations
Offer Significant Benefits
For Participating Eligible Academic Entities
More Flexibility
Choice of when and where on-site to
make hazardous waste determinations
Performance-based container
management standards ensure safe
storage and prevent leaks, spills, and
emissions into the air while allowing
for the following appropriate closed
container exceptions:
Venting is allowed when
necessary for proper
operation of laboratory
equipment such as HPLCs
Venting is allowed to avoid
dangerous situations such
as build-up of pressure
Working containers may
remain open until the end
of a shift or procedure, whichever is first
Efficiencies and Cost Savings
Laboratories not required to count unused hazardous wastes
generated during once-a-year laboratory clean-out toward generator
status, which reduces episodic generation and lowers costs
Thirty days allowed for once-a-year laboratory clean-out and
no volume limit for clean-out materials
On-site consolidation means less vendor time on-site and
fewer partially full containers
Increased laboratory safety leads to reduced liability and
the potential for lower insurance rates
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Eligible Academic Entities
Colleges and universities
Teaching hospitals owned by or
formally affiliated with a college or
university
Non-profit research institutes
owned by or formally affiliated
with a college or university
Subpart K applies to teaching, research,
and some diagnostic laboratories, art
studios, chemical stockrooms, and other laboratories owned by eligible
academic entities. It does not apply to non-laboratory areas at eligible
academic entities.
Subpart K is an optional rule. States may choose
whether to adopt Subpart K. Once a state adopts
Subpart K, eligible academic entities in that state may
opt into the Subpart K regulation or remain subject to
the pre-existing generator standards (i.e., the satellite
accumulation area regulations, 40 CFR 262.34(c)).
Tailored for the Academic
Laboratory Environment
Subpart K is a new EPA generator regulation designed for the academic
sector. It addresses the unique hazardous waste generation patterns of
academic laboratories:
Hundreds of different hazardous wastes that vary over time
Small volumes of each waste
Many points of generation
Hazardous waste generated by students with high turnover,
minimal training, and limited accountability
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Take the next step toward improving
environmental performance in your
academic laboratories
Visitwww.epa.gov/waste/hazard/generation/labwaste to find the final
rule titled, "Alternative Requirements for Hazardous Waste Determination
and Accumulation of Unwanted Material for Laboratories Owned by Eligible
Academic Entities"
Federal Register notice; December 1, 2008; 73 FR 72912
Code of Federal Regulations; 40 CFR Part 262 Subpart K
The EPA Web site above also provides tools and resources for states and
eligible academic entities that want to adopt and opt in to Subpart K.
To learn if Subpart K is in effect in your state—and for assistance in
implementing the new regulations in your academic laboratory—
contact your state agency or the EPA Labs Team:
Jessica Biegelson Kristin Fitzgerald
biegelson.jessica@epa.gov fitzgerald.kristin@epa.gov
703.308.0026 703.308.8286
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
Mail Code (5304P)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/generation/labwaste
EPA530-F-09-019
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