The evolution of regulations covering the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes (10 CFR 61) and hazardous wastes (40 CFR 260–265) has created a dilemma for generators of wastes that are both radioactive and hazardous, that is, mixed wastes. Because these regulations were developed independently, compliance with one set of regulations may create conflicts with the requirements of the other regulations. The challenge confronting mixed-waste generators is to develop waste management programs that eliminate these conflicts.

The West Valley Demonstration Project is employing cement solidification on several characteristic mixed-waste streams to remove the final waste form from the hazardous waste universe and simplify the regulatory requirements for subsequent storage and disposal. This paper discusses the regulatory basis for specific waste management practices and illustrates their application to a corrosive mixed-waste stream and a radioactive-waste stream that is hazardous based on the extraction procedure (EP) toxicity characteristic.