ETC Hazardous Waste Management 3

Question 1

What is 'universal waste' under EPA regulations, and which of the following is an example?

Accepted Answer

A streamlined category of common hazardous wastes; example is fluorescent lamps

Answer

Universal wastes are widely generated hazardous wastes (batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps) subject to simplified management standards to encourage proper recycling.

Question 2

What does the 'cradle-to-grave' principle in RCRA mean for hazardous waste generators?

Accepted Answer

Generators bear responsibility for waste from generation through final disposal

Answer

The cradle-to-grave system holds generators legally responsible for their hazardous waste from the point of generation through ultimate disposal, even after transfer to a transporter or TSDF.

Question 3

Which of the following wastes is explicitly excluded from RCRA hazardous waste regulation?

Accepted Answer

Household hazardous waste

Answer

Household hazardous waste is exempt from RCRA Subtitle C regulations under the household hazardous waste exclusion, though it may be managed under state programs.

Question 4

A container of hazardous waste is considered 'empty' under RCRA after removing all material using standard unloading practices and the inner liner no longer exceeds how much residue?

Accepted Answer

0.3% of the container's total capacity

Answer

Under 40 CFR 261.7, a container is RCRA-empty when no more than 0.3% (by weight) of the container's total capacity remains after standard unloading.

Question 5

A facility conducting in-situ treatment of contaminated soil using injected reagents — without excavating the material — is typically regulated under which framework?

Accepted Answer

RCRA corrective action or CERCLA remediation authority

Answer

In-situ soil treatment at contaminated sites typically falls under RCRA corrective action (for RCRA-permitted facilities) or CERCLA remedial action authority, depending on the site's regulatory history.

ETC - Environmental Technician Certification Practice Test

ETC - Environmental Technician Certification Practice Test

ETC Hazardous Waste Management 3