This document summarizes the exclusion from regulation as a solid waste for shredded circuit boards being recycled under 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14). Specifically, shredded circuit boards are not considered a solid waste if they are stored in containers to prevent environmental release and are free of mercury switches, mercury relays, nickel-cadmium batteries, and lithium batteries. The exclusion is intended for circuit boards destined for recycling, not disposal, and state regulations may differ.

1. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 1
EXCLUSIONS FROM
REGULATION AS SOLID
WASTE
One presentation in a series that briefly
explains the Federal exclusions from full
regulation for certain materials under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA).
This presentation: 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14):
Shredded Circuit Boards

2. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 2
PRESENTED BY:
Daniels Training Services
815.821.1550
www.DanielsTraining.com
Info@DanielsTraining.com
A different kind of training.

3. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 3
40 CFR 261.4(a)
• Paragraph ‘a’ of section 261.4 identifies 25
materials excluded from regulation as a solid
waste.
• If a material does not meet the definition of a solid
waste, it cannot be a hazardous waste.
Solid Hazardous
Waste Waste

4. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 4
The following materials are not solid
wastes for the purpose of this part…”
• Shredded circuit boards being recycled provided
that they are:
1. Stored in containers sufficient to prevent a
release to the environment prior to recovery;
and,
2. Free of:
• Mercury switches and relays.
• Nickel-Cadmium and Lithium batteries.

5. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 5
More to Consider…
• To use this exclusion, circuit boards must be
destined for recycling, not disposal.
• Read this EPA interpretation for further guidance
on the use of this exclusion.
• Check with your State as it may not recognize
this Federal exclusion.
• Other exclusions may be suitable for circuit
boards destined for recycling:
1. Recycled scrap metal @ 40 CFR
261.6(a)(3)(ii).

6. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 6
40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) Verbatim:
(a) Materials which are not solid wastes. The
following materials are not solid wastes for the
purpose of this part:
(14) Shredded circuit boards being recycled
provided that they are:
(i) Stored in containers sufficient to prevent a
release to the environment prior to recovery; and
(ii) Free of mercury switches, mercury relays and
nickel-cadmium batteries and lithium batteries.

7. 40 CFR 261.4(a)(14) @DanielsTraining 7
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