How are hazardous waste determinations made for munition residues?

• A. Based solely on weight and volume.
• B. By guessing based on prior practices.
• C. By testing only and ignoring guidance.
• D. Evaluate constituents, regulatory triggers, and applicable waste codes based on testing and guidance.

Answer: (D)

Hazardous waste determinations for munition residues rely on identifying what's actually in the residue and applying the regulatory criteria to classify it. You don’t decide this by weight or volume alone, and you don’t guess based on past practices. The correct approach uses chemical testing to determine which hazardous constituents are present, checks those constituents against regulatory triggers (such as toxicity characteristics or listed waste criteria under RCRA), and then assigns the appropriate waste codes that describe the waste. Guidance from EPA and DoD procedures tells you exactly which thresholds to apply and how to document the determination, ensuring consistent, compliant management of the waste. In short, combine testing with regulatory guidance to evaluate constituents, triggers, and codes—the three pieces needed for an accurate hazardous waste determination.