Final answer:
Most automotive hazardous waste falls into Listed, Characteristic, and Mixed Waste categories, with regulations under the EPA and proper management from creation to disposal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The majority of our automotive hazardous waste commonly falls into the categories of Listed, Characteristic, and Mixed Wastes. Listed wastes refer to those that are specifically outlined and categorized by regulations, primarily due to their sources or the nature of the discarded products. Characteristic wastes are those that demonstrate certain properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity—this includes materials like old batteries, pesticides, paint, and car oil. Lastly, Mixed Wastes contain hazardous as well as radioactive components, regulated under both the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Atomic Energy Act, due to their dual nature.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established the Cradle-to-Grave Hazardous Waste Management Program to manage these types of waste, ensuring they are handled properly from the point of creation until final disposal. This includes practices for recycling, treatment, storage, and disposal to minimize potential harm to health and the environment.