RCRA Hazardous Waste Codes Reference: Common D and F Codes
Every hazardous waste manifest and container label needs the right EPA waste codes. This reference lists the D codes (characteristic and toxicity) and the F codes (spent solvents and plating wastes) that manufacturing sites run into most often, with TCLP limits.
| Waste code | Type | Description | TCLP regulatory level (mg/L) | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
D001 | Characteristic | Ignitable waste | n/a | Flammable solvents, paint waste, oily rags in some cases |
D002 | Characteristic | Corrosive waste (pH 2 or less, or 12.5 or more) | n/a | Spent acids, caustic cleaners, etchants |
D003 | Characteristic | Reactive waste | n/a | Cyanide or sulfide bearing wastes, water reactives |
D004 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Arsenic | 5.0 | Some pigments, wood preservatives, electronics scrap |
D005 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Barium | 100.0 | Pigments, some lubricants |
D006 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Cadmium | 1.0 | Plating, batteries, pigments |
D007 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Chromium | 5.0 | Chrome plating, chromate conversion coatings |
D008 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Lead | 5.0 | Solder dross, lead paint debris, batteries |
D009 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Mercury | 0.2 | Lamps, switches, instruments |
D010 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Selenium | 1.0 | Some alloys and pigments |
D011 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Silver | 5.0 | Plating solutions, photographic and electronics waste |
D018 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Benzene | 0.5 | Fuel and solvent residues |
D019 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Carbon tetrachloride | 0.5 | Legacy solvents |
D035 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Methyl ethyl ketone | 200.0 | Cleaning solvents, coatings thinners |
D039 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Tetrachloroethylene | 0.7 | Degreasing and dry cleaning solvents |
D040 | Toxicity (TCLP) | Trichloroethylene | 0.5 | Vapor degreasing |
F001 | F-list source | Spent halogenated solvents used in degreasing | n/a | Vapor degreasers using trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, methylene chloride |
F002 | F-list source | Spent halogenated solvents (other uses) | n/a | Cleaning and process solvent use |
F003 | F-list source | Spent non-halogenated solvents: xylene, acetone, ethyl acetate, ethyl benzene, ethyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, n-butyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, methanol | n/a | Paint booths, parts washers, wipe solvents |
F004 | F-list source | Spent non-halogenated solvents: cresols, cresylic acid, nitrobenzene | n/a | Specialty cleaning and chemical processes |
F005 | F-list source | Spent non-halogenated solvents: toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, carbon disulfide, isobutanol, pyridine, benzene, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-nitropropane | n/a | Coating thinners and cleanup solvents |
F006 | F-list source | Wastewater treatment sludges from electroplating operations | n/a | Plating line wastewater treatment |
F007 | F-list source | Spent cyanide plating bath solutions from electroplating | n/a | Cyanide plating baths |
F019 | F-list source | Wastewater treatment sludges from chemical conversion coating of aluminum | n/a | Aluminum chromating or phosphating lines |
Federal codes only. States can add codes and stricter rules. A waste can carry several codes. The generator, not this table, is legally responsible for the waste determination, and the regulatory text in 40 CFR Part 261 governs. Use this as a quick lookup, not as the determination.
Link waste codes to your ERP material master
Optional: a short review of how waste profiles and codes could be carried through your ERP to manifests.
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How to use the lookup
Search by code, chemical name or process such as plating or degreasing. Match the description to your waste stream, then confirm the determination with your safety data sheet, lab analysis or process knowledge. Export the rows you use to Excel to build a site waste code register that your waste vendor and ERP material master can reference.
- Start with the process that created the waste, since F codes depend on how a solvent was used
- Check D codes by TCLP results when the waste is a solid or sludge
- Record every code that applies, not only the first one found
How the code families work
Characteristic codes D001 to D003 describe ignitability, corrosivity and reactivity. D004 to D043 apply when the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure extract exceeds the listed concentration in mg/L. F codes are listed because of the process that made the waste, regardless of concentration. This is why a spent solvent from a parts washer can be hazardous by listing even if a lab test shows low contaminant levels.
Worked example
A shop runs a vapor degreaser on trichloroethylene. The spent solvent is F001 because it is a spent halogenated degreasing solvent. If a sample also shows TCLP trichloroethylene above 0.5 mg/L, D040 applies as well. Both codes go on the manifest. Sludge from a nickel plating line wastewater treatment unit would be F006.
Common mistakes
Skipping the F code because a lab test passed, using only one code when several apply, and confusing the TCLP limit with the generator category thresholds. Another frequent error is mapping waste codes in an ERP material master to the commercial product rather than to the actual waste stream, which then flows to the wrong manifest line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between D and F waste codes?
D codes are based on measurable characteristics or leachate concentrations. F codes list wastes from common non-specific industrial processes, such as spent solvents and plating sludges, and apply because of how the waste was generated, not its test results.
Can a waste have more than one code?
Yes. A spent solvent can carry an F code for its listing and one or more D codes for characteristics such as ignitability or TCLP toxicity. List every code that applies on the manifest and in your waste profile.
Does this list every RCRA waste code?
No. It covers the common D and F codes in manufacturing. There are also K, P and U lists and many more D codes. Use 40 CFR Part 261 and your state rules for the complete set.
Who decides the waste code?
The generator is legally responsible for the hazardous waste determination. A waste vendor or consultant can help, but you should document the basis using SDS, sampling data or process knowledge.
If waste profiles and manifests are managed in your ERP or EHS system, we can help set up a lookup that carries the correct codes from material master to manifest.
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