Storage
Storage is the holding of waste for a temporary period of time prior to the waste being treated, disposed, or stored elsewhere. Hazardous waste is commonly stored prior to treatment or disposal, and must be stored in containers, tanks, containment buildings, drip pads, waste piles, or surface impoundments that comply with the RCRA regulations (see list below). The regulatory requirements for these types of storage units are found in 40 CFR Part 264 for permitted facilities and 40 CFR Part 265 for interim status facilities.
- Containers A hazardous waste container is any portable
device in which a hazardous waste is stored, transported, treated, disposed,
or otherwise handled. The most common hazardous waste container is the
55-gallon drum. Other examples of containers are tanker trucks, railroad
cars, buckets, bags, and even test tubes.
- RCRA Training Module - Containers (PDF) (13 pp., 56 KB)
- Tanks Tanks are stationary devices constructed of non-earthen
materials used to store or treat hazardous waste. Tanks can be open-topped
or completely enclosed and are constructed of a wide variety of materials
including steel, plastic, fiberglass, and concrete.
- RCRA Training Module - Tanks (PDF) (21 pp., 114 KB)
- Drip Pads A drip pad is a wood drying structure used
by the pressure-treated wood industry to collect excess wood preservative
drippage. Drip pads are constructed of non-earthen materials with a
curbed, free-draining base that is designed to convey wood preservative
drippage to a collection system for proper management.
- RCRA Training Module - Drip Pads (PDF) (12 pp., 33 KB)
- Containment Buildings Containment buildings are completely
enclosed, self-supporting structures (i.e., they have four walls, a
roof, and a floor) used to store or treat non-containerized hazardous
waste.
- RCRA Training Module - Containment Buildings (PDF) (14 pp., 58 KB)
- Waste Piles A waste pile is an open, uncontained pile
used for treating or storing waste. Hazardous waste waste piles must
be placed on top of a double liner system to ensure leachate from the
waste does not contaminate surface or ground water supplies.
- RCRA Training Module - Land Disposal Units (PDF) (16 pp., 165 KB)
- Surface Impoundments A surface impoundment is a natural
topographical depression, man-made excavation, or diked area such as
a holding pond, storage pit, or settling lagoon. Surface impoundments
are formed primarily of earthen materials and are lined with synthetic
plastic liners to prevent liquids from escaping.
- RCRA Training Module - Land Disposal Units (PDF) (16 pp., 165 KB)