South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-107 - Solid Waste Management
Subchapter 61-107.19 - SOLID WASTE. MANAGEMENT: SOLID WASTE LANDFILLS AND STRUCTURAL FILL
Part I - General Requirements
Section 61-107.19.I.C - Waste Characterization
Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-107.19.I.C
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
1. Waste Characterization Report.
a.
Determination of the proper landfill class for disposal of a waste stream is
based on the chemical and physical properties of the waste and not on the
source of generation of the waste. To determine the class of landfill required
for proper disposal of a waste stream, the permittee shall submit to the
Department a waste characterization report. The waste characterization report
shall consist of a comprehensive analytical evaluation of the chemical and
physical nature of each waste stream. Hazardous wastes as defined in
R.61-79, Hazardous Waste
Management Regulations shall not be disposed of in the landfills under the
purview of this regulation. The wastes acceptable for disposal in a Class One
landfill, and waste items listed in Appendix I are exempt from the waste
characterization process outlined in this regulation. Class Three landfills
shall adhere to their approved Special Waste Analysis and Implementation Plan
(SWAIP), pursuant to S.C. Code Section
44-96-390
which shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section.
b. The toxicity characteristic leaching
procedure (TCLP) (USEPA method 1311) shall be used to obtain all extracts for
the purpose of characterizing a waste stream proposed for disposal in a solid
waste landfill.
c. The analytical
results of the TCLP shall be compared to the MCLs in South Carolina
R.61-58 State Primary Drinking
Water Regulation to determine the appropriate class landfill in which the waste
stream may be disposed. If no MCL exists for a parameter, then those drinking
water risk-based concentrations recognized by EPA Region IV shall be used to
determine the appropriate class landfill for the waste. For those parameters
where no MCL or Region IV number exists, the Department, using input from the
permittee, will develop an appropriate number for determining the landfill
class for disposal of that waste stream.
d. Unless otherwise exempted in this
regulation, all wastes shall be characterized in accordance with the following
schedule:
(1) A minimum of every three years
using certified knowledge of the process by which the waste stream was
generated;
(2) At a minimum of
every six years using analytical test data from the TCLP;
(3) According to a Department approved
alternate schedule based on the variability or non-variability noted in
previous sampling events or other factors that affect the predictability of
waste characteristics;
(4) When the
process or raw materials used in the process that generates the waste changes
significantly enough to alter the chemical makeup or chemical ratios of the
waste stream; and,
(5) When a new
waste stream is proposed for disposal.
e. Waste streams not listed in Appendix I,
that demonstrate properties similar to the waste listed on Appendix I, may be
exempted from testing as determined by the Department on a case-by-case basis.
Requests for an exemption from testing, along with technical rationale for the
exemption, shall be submitted to the Department in writing.
f. The Department will provide current forms
and guidance documents needed for the successful completion of the waste
characterization process. All analytical results from the characterization
process shall be submitted to the Department on these forms or in a format
approved by the Department.
2. Waste Testing and Waste Stream Determination.
a. The permittee shall submit
to the Department a comprehensive determination of the chemical and physical
nature of each waste stream to be landfilled in accordance with the following
sampling and analytical requirements:
(1) To
ensure that representative samples are obtained, the sampler shall develop a
sampling plan and employ all reasonable measures, such as sampling different
sources of solid waste at different times, or conducting random sampling of a
representative pile of the waste generated from different sources at different
times. All samples of waste shall be collected using procedures as described in
EPA Publication SW-846.
(2) All
analytical testing required by this regulation shall be performed by a
laboratory certified by the Department for the appropriate methodologies, to
both properly prepare and analyze for the required parameters. The current
guidelines for applicable regulatory thresholds, practical quantitation limits,
and required quality assurance data shall be obtained from the Department prior
to the start of the characterization project. Analytical results shall be
submitted to the Department within 60 days of the sample collection
date.
(3) Mixing of individual
wastes to be disposed of prior to testing is acceptable only if:
(a) The individual wastes are mixed prior to
discharge in the normal production process of the generator or the individual
wastes are generated by identical processes and identical raw materials;
or,
(b) The mixing of individual
non-hazardous wastes results in a waste in which leaching characteristics are
no greater than the leaching characteristics of one or more of the individual
wastes; and,
i. A demonstration is submitted
to the Department for review and approval that details how a reduction in
leaching occurs due to some factor other than dilution. The demonstration shall
include, at a minimum:
aa. The concentration,
determined in accordance with the requirements of this Section, for each
parameter which undergoes a reduction in concentration. Concentrations of
parameters shall be determined for each individual waste in the mixture and for
each parameter as a result of the mixture;
bb. A listing and the ratio, by weight and
volume, of the individual wastes which comprise the mixture;
cc. Calculations using the concentration and
weight data required in paragraphs aa. and bb. above, which demonstrate
quantitatively that the reduction in leaching characteristics is not solely due
to dilution; and,
dd. An
identification and explanation of the chemical reactions, including chemical
equations, which cause the reduction.
ii. The individual non-hazardous wastes are
mixed in the same ratios and in the same manner in which they will be mixed
prior to disposal.
(4) For the purpose of obtaining an extract,
which will be analyzed for any volatile organic compounds, a zero head space
extraction apparatus, as specified in the TCLP, shall be used.
(5) Practical Quantitation Limits (PQLs) for
the analytical methods shall be one order of magnitude below the required
regulatory threshold for the particular landfill class desired for disposal.
Slight deviations in minimum PQL may be granted, on a case-by-case basis, with
proper application and technical justification to the Department.
b. For the initial
characterization of solid waste to be disposed of in a solid waste landfill, a
minimum of two (2) representative samples of the waste shall be collected and
tested in accordance with the TCLP. TCLP testing of additional samples of the
solid waste may be required by the Department, based on a high degree of
variability in the concentration of a parameter at or near the maximum
allowable concentration for a particular landfill class. The Department may
allow, with prior approval, the testing for selected constituents based on the
generators knowledge of the process.
c. The permittee shall notify and obtain
approval from the Department prior to making any physical or chemical changes
to the waste stream being disposed of in a solid waste landfill.
(1) Significant changes in the chemical or
physical nature of the waste stream may require disposal of the waste stream in
a different class of landfill.
(2)
Significant changes to the chemical or physical nature of the waste stream may
require modification of the environmental monitoring program.
d. Any person seeking to utilize a
testing or analytical method other than the TCLP method described in Section
C.1.b. above may request authorization to do so. To be successful, the
applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the
proposed method is equal to or superior to the TCLP in terms of its
sensitivity, accuracy, and precision (i.e., reproducibility). The request shall
include, at a minimum:
(1) A full description
of the proposed method, including all procedural steps and equipment used in
the method;
(2) Description of the
types of wastes or waste matrices for which the proposed method may be
used;
(3) Comparative results
obtained from using the proposed method with those obtained from using the
TCLP;
(4) An assessment of any
factors, which may interfere with, or limit the use of, the proposed
method;
(5) A description of the
quality control procedures necessary to ensure the sensitivity, accuracy, and
precision of the proposed method; and,
(6) Any other information on the proposed
method, which the Department may reasonably request to evaluate the proposed
method.
e. The outcome
of an alternate testing procedure as outlined in Section C.2.d. above may
result in revision of the landfill class limits as defined in Part I, Section
A.1. of this regulation to ensure equivalent protection of human health and the
environment.
f. Solid waste streams
that contain chemicals or chemical properties potentially harmful to human
health and the environment, for which TCLP or other approved testing procedures
as outlined in Section C.2.d. above is not sufficient, shall be classified on a
case-by-case basis by the Department. The permit applicant may be required to
perform alternate testing procedures as necessary to determine the potential
adverse effects to human health and the environment.
g. A sampling and analysis plan for
performing the activities outlined in Section C.2.a.-f. above shall be
submitted to the Department for review and approval prior to sampling for waste
characterization purposes.
h. If
the waste characterization test results indicate that a landfill
reclassification is necessary based on exceedance of the landfill
classification level outlined in Part IV A.1., the Department may require
additional sampling and testing to confirm or reject such indication. If
exceedance of the landfill classification level outlined in Part IV A.1 is
confirmed and the facility intends to continue to accept the waste stream in
question, the Department will require the permittee to submit a permit
application for appropriate modifications to the landfill. The required
modifications shall insure that the facility meets the requirements of the new
landfill classification.
3. Waste Characterization Report for Class Two Landfills.
a. Class Two landfills shall,
prior to permit issuance, submit a waste characterization report that contains
at a minimum, the following:
(1) A listing of
each solid waste proposed for disposal in the facility;
(2) The solid waste sampling plan used to
ensure that accurate and representative samples are collected in accordance
with Section C.2.a. above;
(3) A
detailed description of any mixing to be proposed as described in Section
C.2.a. above, and any available information that is required by that
section;
(4) All laboratory results
and quality assurance/quality control documentation that fully characterizes
each waste; and,
(5) The name,
location, and contact person of each generator of solid waste to be disposed of
at the facility.
b.
Class Two landfills that accept ONLY those wastes specifically listed in
Appendix I are exempt from the waste characterization report
requirements.
c. Class Three
landfills shall adhere to their approved Special Waste Analysis and
Implementation Plan (SWAIP), pursuant to S.C. Code Section
44-96-390.
4. Compliance with the Department approved SWAIP will satisfy requirements of this section for Class Three landfills.
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