RCRA Hazardous Waste (US, 40 CFR 261)
Industrial wastewater treatment sludges may be RCRA hazardous if they exceed contaminant thresholds (D004-D043). Many sludges are managed under Clean Water Act 503 rules rather than RCRA.
Also searched as: WWTP sludge, biosolids, treatment sludge
RCRA classifies waste by source, process, and characteristics — not just material. Pick the row that matches how your wastewater treatment sludge arises; each coded row links to the full waste code definition under 40 CFR Part 261.
Treatment sludge with heavy metals
Toxicity characteristic waste - Lead at or above 5.0 mg/L (TCLP)
Treatment sludge with other contaminants
Toxicity characteristic waste - Cadmium at or above 1.0 mg/L (TCLP)
Municipal biosolids (land application)
CWA 503 jurisdiction, not typically RCRA
Source: 40 CFR Part 261 — Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste
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