Solvents Most solvents can be readily recovered. Solvent reclaimers will usually pick up used solvents for reclamation at their facility or provide on-site reclamation. Generally, the reclaimer will clean the solvent for reuse by the generator. Under this system, the generator is assured of obtaining the correct type of solvent at lower cost than the original cost of the solvent. This system also assures the reclaimer of a market for the recovered product.
Many solvents are likely to be hazardous wastes.
Other solvent wastes may be characterized as hazardous wastes because of ignitability or toxicity depending on their chemical composition. If they are determined to be hazardous, these solvents must be managed as hazardous wastes. Other solvents should be managed as solid waste. Air regulations also apply to many solvent uses such as parts cleaning, printing, painting and coating, and other industrial processes. Solvent emissions can add to ozone problems in ozone non-attainment areas and produce toxic air emissions.