US EPA Hazardous Waste Regulations

Excerpts from the US Environmental Protection Agency regulations regarding hazardous waste storage:

Accumulation: 40 CFR 262.34 (c)
(1) A generator may accumulate as much as 55 gallons of hazardous waste or one quart of acutely hazardous waste listed in Sec. 261.33(e) in containers at or near any point of generation where wastes initially accumulate, which is under the control of the operator of the process generating the waste, without a permit or interim status and without complying with paragraph (a) of this section provided he:

(i) Complies with Secs. 265.171, 265.172, and 265.173(a) of this chapter; and
(ii) Marks his containers either with the words ``Hazardous Waste'' or with other words that identify the contents of the containers.

(2) A generator who accumulates either hazardous waste or acutely hazardous waste listed in Sec. 261.33(e) in excess of the amounts listed in paragraph (c)(1) of this section at or near any point of generation must, with respect to that amount of excess waste, comply within three days with paragraph (a) of this section or other applicable provisions of this chapter. During the three day period the generator must continue to comply with paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (ii) of this section. The generator must mark the container holding the excess accumulation of hazardous waste with the date the excess amount began accumulating.

Condition of containers: 40 CFR 265.171
If a container holding hazardous waste is not in good condition, or if it begins to leak, the owner or operator must transfer the hazardous
waste from this container to a container that is in good condition, or manage the waste in some other way that complies with the requirements of this part.

Compatibility of waste with container: 40 CFR 265.172
The owner or operator must use a container made of or lined with materials which will not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the hazardous waste to be stored, so that the ability of the container to contain the waste is not impaired.

Management of containers: 40 CFR 265.173 (a)
(a) A container holding hazardous waste must always be closed during storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove waste.