Cleaning Agents and Cosmetics Manufacturers

Industry Overview

Not all businesses in the cleaning agents and cosmetic manufacturing category use hazardous substances. If, however, you use solvents, ignitable liquids, strong acids or bases, heavy metals, toxic organic constituents. or pesticides. you might generate hazardous waste. If you generate hazardous waste, you might be subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements covering the generation, transportation, and management of hazardous waste.

Your business is included in the cleaning agents and cosmetics manufacturing category if you formulate or manufacture:

Hazardous Wastes from Cleaning Agents and Cosmetics Manufacturing

Manufacturers of cleaning agents and cosmetics use a wide range of processes and products, and many types of waste are generated. Table I summarizes the major hazardous waste types generated by manufacturers of cleaning agents and cosmetics, and Table 2 provides information about specific hazardous wastes. Generally, hazardous wastes from cleaning agents and chemical manufacturing are solvent wastes, pesticide wastes, acid/alkaline wastes, and heavy metal wastes. Wastewaters and sludges from cleaning equipment used in the formulation of soaps and stabilizers containing chromium and lead are listed hazardous wastes.

If you generate more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds or about one-half of a 55-gallon drum) of hazardous waste per month, you must complete a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest when shipping your waste. The Manifest requires the DOT (Department of Transportation) description of the waste, including the shipping name, hazard class, and UN/NA ID number. This information is provided in Table 2 for some wastes generated by manufacturers of cleaning agents and cosmetics. Table I and Table 2 are not comprehensive lists. If you suspect that you generate a hazardous waste that is not on this list, contact your state hazardous waste management agency or EPA Regional office for assistance.

Waste Minimization

An effective waste minimization program can reduce the costs. liabilities, and regulatory burdens of hazardous waste management, while potentially enhancing efficiency, product quality, and community relations. Waste minimization techniques that can help you reduce the amount of hazardous waste that you generate include:

Training and supervision of employees implementing waste minimization techniques is an important part of your successful program. Call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline toll-free at 800-424-9346 (or TDD 800-553-7672 for the hearing-impaired) for waste minimization information and publications.

Typical Cleaning Agents and Cosmetics Manufacturing Operations: Materials Used and Hazardous Wastes that Might be Generated
Process/OperationMaterials UsedGeneral Types of Waste Generated
Cleaning Agent ManufacturingSolvents, heavy metals, pesticides, organicchemicals, metals, strong acids and basesSolvent wastes
Toxic wastes
Pesticide wastes
Ignitable wastes
Toxic heavy metal sludges and dusts
Acid/alkaline wastes
Cosmetic ManufacturingSolvents, organic chemicals, metalsSolvent wastes
Toxic wastes
Toxic heavy metal sludges

Table 2 Cleaning Agents and Cosmetics Manufacturing
Waste DescriptionsWaste Type Designations/Trade NamesDOT Shipping NameHazard ClassUN/NA 10 Number
STRONG ACID/ALKALINE WASTES
Ammonium HydroxideAmmonium Hydroxide. NH4OH, Spirit of Hartshom, Aqua AmmoniaWaste Ammonium Hydroxide (containing not less than 12% but not more than 44% ammonia)Corrosive MaterialNA2672
Hydrobromic AcidHydrobromic Acid, HbrWaste Hydrobromic Acid (containing less than 12% ammonia)OPM-ANA2672
Corrosive MaterialUN1788
Corrosive MaterialNA1789
Hydrochloric AcidHydrochloric Acid, HC1, Muriatic AcidWaste Hydrochloric AcidCorrosive MaterialUN1790
Hydrofluoric AcidHydrofluoric Acid, HF, Fluorohydric Acid(40% or less) Waste Hydrofluoric AcidOxidizerUN2031
Nitric AcidNitric Acid, HN0'2. AquafortisWaste Nitfic Acid (over 40%)Corrosive MaterialUN1760
Corrosive MaterialUN1805
Phosphoric AcidPhosphoric Acid, H3P04, Orthophosphofic AcidWaste Phosphoric AcidCorrosive MaterialUN1814
Potassium HydroxidePotassium Hydroxide, KOH, Potassium Hydrate, Caustic Potash, PotassaWaste Potassium Hydroxide Solution
Dry Solid, Flake, Bead, or Granular
Corrosive MaterialUN1813
Sodium HydroxideSodium Hydroxide NaOH, Caustic Soda, Soda Lye, Sodium HydrateWaste Sodium Hydroxide SolutionCorrosive MaterialUN1824
Dry Solid, Flake, Bead, or GranularCorrosive MaterialUN1823
Sulfuric AcidSulfuric Acid, H2SO4, Oil of VitriolWaste Sulfuric AcidCorrosive MaterialUN1832
Chromic AcidChromic AcidWaste Chromic Acid SolutionCorrosive MaterialUN1755
Ignitable AlcoholAlcoholWaste Alcohol, NOS2Flammable LiquidUN1987
Combustible LiquidUN1987
Aromatic HydrocarbonsAromatic HydrocarbonsWaste Flammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
Methyl AlcoholMethanolWaste Methyl AlcoholFlammable LiquidUN1230
Ethyl AlcoholEthanol, AlcoholWaste Ethyl AlcoholFlammable LiquidUN1170
Isopropyl AlcoholIsopropanolWaste IsopropanolFlammable LiquidUN1219
TolueneMethyl Benzene, ToluolWaste TolueneFlammable LiquidUN1294
XyleneDimethyl Benzene, XylolWaste XyleneFlammable LiquidUN1307
Solvent Mixtures Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
White Spirits, VarsolWhite Spirits, Mineral Spirits, NaphthaWaste Naphtha, SolventFlammable LiquidUN1256
1,1,1-TrichloroethaneAerothene TT, Chlorten, Chloroethene, Methyl-Chloroform, Alpha T, ChloroteneWaste 1,1,1-TrichloroethaneORM-AUN2831
Petroleum DistillatesPetroleum DistillatesWaste Petroleum DistillatesFlammable LiquidUN1268
Combustible LiquidUN1268
Ethylene Dichloride*Ethylene Dichloride, 1,2-DichloroethaneWaste Ethylene DichlorideFlammable LiquidUN1184
Benzene*BenzeneWaste Benzene (benzol)Flammable LiquidUN1114
Ethyl BenzeneEthyl BenzeneWaste Ethyl BenzeneFlammable LiquidUN1175
Chlorobenzene*Chlorobenzene, Monochlorobenzene, PhenylchlorideWaste ChlorobenzeneFlammable LiquidUN1134
PESTICIDES CONTAINING SUBSTITUTED NITROPHENOLS
DinitrocresolDinitrocresol. DNC, DNOC, Sinox, TrifocideWaste Substituted Nitrophenol Pesticide, Solid. NosPoison BUN2779
Waste Substituted Nitrophenol Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2779
Waste Substituted Nitrophenol Pesticide. Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2780
DinosebDinoseb, DNBP, Basanite, Caldon, Dinitro General, Hel-Fire, Nitropone C.Waste Substituted Nitrophenol Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2779
Waste Substituted Nitrophenol Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2779
Waste Substituted Nitrophenol Pesticide. Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2780
ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES
DimethoateDimethoate, Cygon. Daphene, De-Fend. Roxion, TrimetionWaste Organophosphorous Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2783
Waste Organophosphorous Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2783
Waste Organophosphorous Pesticide. Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2784
DisulfotonDisulfoton, BAY 19639 and S276, Dithiodemeton, Ethylthiodemeton, M-74, SolvirexWaste DisulfotonPoison BNA2783
Waste Disulfoton Mixture, DryPoison BNA2783
Waste Disulfoton Mixture, LiquidPoison BNA2783
Waste Organophosphorus Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2784
FamphurFamphur, Famfos, Bash, Bo-Ana, WarbetWaste Organophosphorus Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2783
Waste Organophosphorus Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2783
Waste Organophosphorus Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2784
Methyl ParathhionMethyl Parathion, Cekumethion, E-601, Devithion, Metacide, Nitrox 80, Paratox, WofatoxWaste Methyl Parathion, LiquidPoison BNA2783
Waste Methyl Parathion Mixture, DryPoison BNA2783
Waste Methyl Parathion Mixture, Liquid (containing 25% or less methyl parathion)Poison BNA2783
Waste Methyl Parathion Mixture, Liquid (containing more than 25% methyl parathion)Poison BNA2783
Waste Organophosphorous Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2784
ParathionParathion, Ethyl Parathion, AC-3422, Alkron, Bladan, Etilon, Folidol E-605, PhoskilWaste Parathion, LiquidPoison BNA2783
Waste Parathion Mixture, DryPoison BNA2783
Waste Parathion Mixture, LiquidPoison BNA2783
Waste Organophosphorous Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2784
STRYCHNINE PESTICIDES
StrychnineStrychnine SaltsWaste Strychnine, SolidPoison BUN1692
Waste Strychnine, SolidPoison BUN1692
THALLIUM SULFATE PESTICIDES
Thallium SulfateThallous Sulfate, Rafox, ZelioWaste Thallium Sulfate, SolidPoison BNA1707
Waste Flammable Liquid, Poisonous, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1992
TRIAZINE PESTICIDES
AmitroleAmitrole, Amerol, Herbizole, Simazol, Weed 9701Waste Triazine Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2763
Waste Triazine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2763
Waste Triazine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2764
PHENOXY PESTICIDES
2,4-D2,4-Dichloropbenoxyacetic Acid, Brush Killer, Crop Rider, Ded-Weed, Salvo, WeedoneWaste 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic AcidORM ANA2765
Waste 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic EsterORM-ENA2765
Waste Phenoxy Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2766
2.4.5-T2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid, Brush Rap, Farmers Fence Rider, WeedoneWaste 2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxyacetic AcidORMI-ANA2765
Waste 2,4,5 Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (amine, ester, or salt)ORM-ENA2765
Waste Phenoxy Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2766
Silvex*2,4,5-Fenoprop, Fruitone T, Koren, Weed-B-GoneWaste 2-(2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy) propionic AcidORM-ANA2765
Waste 2-(2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy) propionic Acid EsterORM-ENA2765
Waste Phenoxy Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2766
Waste Phenoxy Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2765
ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES
AldrinHHDN, Aldrex 30, Altox, Drinox, Octalene, Seednn LiquidWaste AldrinPoison BNA2761
Waste Aldrin Mixture, Dry (with more than 65% Aldrin)Poison BNA2761
Waste Aldrin Mixture, Dry (with 65% or less Aldrin)ORM-ANA2761
Waste Organochlorine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2762
Chlordane*Chlorkil, Corodane, Octachlor DDTWaste Chlordane, LiquidFlammable LiquidNA2762
Waste Chlordane, LiquidCombustible LiquidNA2762
Waste DDTORM-ANA2761
Dichloropropene1,3-Dichloropropene Waste DichloropropeneFlammable LiquidUN2047
DieldrinDieldrin. Dieldrex, DieldriteWaste DieldrinORM-ANA2761
Endrin*Endrin, Endrex, HexadnnWaste Endrin. LiquidPoison BNA2761
Waste Endrin MixturePoison BNA2761
EndosulfanCrisulfan, MalixWaste EndosulfanPoison BNA2761
Waste Endosulfan Mixture, LiquidPoison BNA2761
Heptachlor*Gold Crest H-60, Drinox H-34, Heptamul, HeptoxWaste HeptachlorORM ENA2761
Waste Organochiorine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2762
KeponeChlordecone, GC 1189Waste KeponeORM-ENA2761
Waste Organochlorine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2762
Lindane*Exgama, Forlin, Gailogama, Gamaphex, Gammex, Inexit, Isotox, Lindafor, Lindagam, Lindagrain, Lindagranox, Lindalo, Lindamul, Lindapourdre, Lindaterra, Novigam, SilvanolWaste LindaneORM-ANA2761
Waste Organochlorine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2762
Methoxychlor*Flo Pro MeSeed Proteciant, MulateWaste MethoxychlorORM-ENA2761
Waste Organmhlofine Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2701
Waste Organochlorine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2761
Waste Organochlorine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2762
Propylene Dichloride1,2-DichloropropaneWaste Propylene DichlorideFlammable LiquidUN1279
Toxaphene*Attach 4-2, 4-4, 6, 6-3, 8, Camphochlor, Motox, Phenacide, Phenatox, Strobane T-90, Toxakil, Toxon 63Waste ToxapheneORM-ANA2761
Waste Organochlofine Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2762
Methyl Ethyl Ketone-Methyl Ethyl Ketone. MEK, Methyl Acetone. Butanone, Ethyl Methyl KetoneWaste Methyl Ethyl KetoneFlammable LiquidUN1193
Cresols*o-Cresol, m-Cresol, p-Cresol, (m,p) Cresol, (o,m,p)-CresolWaste CresolCorrosive MaterialUN2076
Phenol*PhenolWaste PhenolPoison BUN1673
HEAVY METAL DUSTS
Heavy Metal DustsHeavy Metal Soaps containing: Silver, Calcium Chromate. Selenium. Barium, Cadmium. Mercury, Lead, Chromium, NickelHazardous Waste, Solid or Liquid, NOSORM ENA9189
PESTICIDES CONTAINING ARSENIC
Arsenic pentoxideArsenic (V) OxideWaste Arsenic Pentoxide, SolidPoison BUN1559
Arsenic trioxideArsenic (III) OxideWaste Arsenic Trioxide, SolidPoison BUN1561
Cacodylic acidHydroxydimethylarsine Oxide, Dimethylarsinic Acid, PhytarWaste Arsenical Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2759
Waste Arsenical Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2759
Waste Arsenical Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2760
Monosodium methanearsonateMSMA, Arsanote Liquid, Herb-Al]. Weed-HoeWaste Arsenical Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2759
Waste Arsenical Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2759
Waste Arsenical Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2760
DisodiumDSMA, Ansar 8100, DMA, Sodar monomethanearsonateWaste Arsenical Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2759
Waste Arsenical Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2759
Waste Arsenical Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2760
OTHER PESTICIDES
ThiramTMTD, Thiruamin, Vanacide TMWaste ThiramORM-ANA2771
Waste Flammable Liquid, Poisonous, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1992
WarfarinCo-Rax, Kypfarin, Rax, RodexHazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOSORM-ENA9189
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
Pentachlorophenol*PCP, Pentachlor, SantophenWaste PentachlorophenolORM-ENA2020
Waste Fllammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
PentachloronitrobenzenePCNB, Earthcide, Folosan, TritisanHazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOSORM-ENA9189
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
Hexachlorobenzene*Perchlorobenzene, HCB, Anticarie, No BuntHazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOSORM-ENA9189
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
1,2-Dibromo 3-chloropropaneDBCP, Nemafume, Nemanox, NematocideHazardous Waste, Liquid or Solid, NOSORM-ENA9189
Waste Flammable Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN1993
Waste Combustible Liquid, NOSCombustible LiquidNA1993
PESTICIDES CONTAINING CARBAMATES
TemikAldicarb, OMS 77 1, UC 21149Waste Carbamate Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2757
Waste Carbamate Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2757
Waste Carbamate Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2758
PESTICIDES CONTAINING MERCURY*
2-Methoxyethylmercuric chlorideMEMC, Agallol, Cekusil Universal-C, Emisan 6Waste Mercury Based Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2777
Waste Memory Based Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2777
Waste Memory Based Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2778
Phenylmercuric acetatePMA, PMAS, Agrosan, Celmer, Seedtox, Tag HL 331Waste Mercury Based Pesticide, Solid, NOSPoison BUN2777
Waste Mercury Based Pesticide, Liquid, NOSPoison BUN2777
Waste Mercury Based Pesticide, Liquid, NOSFlammable LiquidUN2778

* Toxicity Characteristic constituent. Any waste that results in a TCLP extract containing a Toxicity Characteristic constituent equal to or above regulatory levels is hazardous.

  1. These descriptins may change given variations in waste characteristics or conditions. Note that the DOT shipping name, hazard class. and UN/NA ID number do not directly correspond to RCRA hazardous waste categories.
  2. NOS - Not otherwise specified.
  3. A flammable liquid has a flash point belowe l00'F.
  4. A combustible liquid has a flash point between 100'F and 200'F.


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Last Updated: February 23, 1996