RCRA Hazardous Waste (US, 40 CFR 261)
Paint waste may be hazardous if it exhibits ignitability (D001 if flash point below 60C) or contains lead/chromium above TCLP thresholds (D008/D007). Water-based paints with no hazardous constituents may not be RCRA hazardous.
Also searched as: waste paint, paint residue, paint sludge, lacquer waste
RCRA classifies waste by source, process, and characteristics — not just material. Pick the row that matches how your paint waste arises; each coded row links to the full waste code definition under 40 CFR Part 261.
Solvent-based paint (typically ignitable)
Ignitable waste - liquids with flash point below 60 C (140 F), ignitable solids, oxidizers, and ignitable compressed gases
Paint containing lead (above 5.0 mg/L TCLP)
Toxicity characteristic waste - Lead at or above 5.0 mg/L (TCLP)
Paint containing chromium (above 5.0 mg/L TCLP)
Toxicity characteristic waste - Chromium at or above 5.0 mg/L (TCLP)
Water-based paint without hazardous constituents
May not be RCRA hazardous; check TCLP
Source: 40 CFR Part 261 — Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste
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