Protect public health and
and the environment by
managing waste fireworks
according to RCRA
regulations.

Safe Handling and
Treatment of
Waste Fireworks

EPA Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) guidance on the
safe and legal handling, storage and
treatment of waste fireworks.

¦

Illegally and improperly
disposed fireworks can cause
serious injury or death.

Safe managment saves lives. Make safety a

Waste fireworks can
pollute the environment
with hazardous chemicals.

For Further Information:

See EPA's Memorandum "Safe
Handling, Storage, and Treatment
of Waste Fireworks."

Contact your state and/or local
environmental agency.

EPA Regional office contacts can
be found at:



vvEPA

U.S. Environmental June
Protection Agency 2017

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Waste fireworks may be	RCRA regulatory

RCRA hazardous waste due to	requirements include:

their ignitability, toxicity,

and/or
reactive nature.

40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 261

Safe management protects
people and the environment.

Fireworks may become RCRA
hazardous waste when:

•	they are discarded;

•	they will not be used for their
intended purpose;

•	they fail to function;

•	they become damaged or have
deteriorated and cannot be safely
used or reclaimed;

•	they are declared excess and a
decision is made to dispose of them;
or

•	they are no longer needed as evidence.

a full RCRA permit (if exemptions or
emergency permitting are not
applicable);

safety training;

security measures;

inspection requirements; and

bans on spark-producing materials,
electronics, tools, clothing, etc.

See 40 CFR Parts 264/265 for more
information.

Emergency Situations

RCRA requirements for emergency
situations will vary on a case-by-case basis
in accordance with the applicable
regulations.

Additional Best
Management Practices

Exemption: RCRA permitting
requirements provide a temporary
exemption to their applicability under
exceptional circumstances. An example is
the need to immediately respond to
discharges or imminent threats.
See 40 CFR Section 270.1(c)(3)

•	Conduct daily oral briefings on tasks and
safety.

•	Sweep and remove explosive dust.

•	Prohibit treatment inside or within 50 feet
of a storage area. This includes soaking
and/or disassembly to deactivate prior to
storage.

•	Ensure storage units have sufficient and
unobstructed means of entry and exit.

Temporary emergency permits: if

the situation does not require immediate
action, the exemption does not apply. A
streamlined emergency RCRA permit
process may be allowed in response to
"imminent and substantial endangerment
to human health and the environment."
See 40 CFR Section 270.61

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