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V CVSHealth <br /> Ms . Florido <br /> March 8, 2019 <br /> Page 4 <br /> (Emphasis added) . DTSC further stated : <br /> When DTSC observes a hazardous waste that is comprised of non-empty <br /> containers having RCRA P - listed hazardous waste residues inside them, DTSC <br /> considers the entire container and residue combination as " the hazardous waste " <br /> that must be properly managed to protect human health and the environment . <br /> Accordingly, generators must include the weight of the container and not just the <br /> mass of container residue when computing the amount of acute hazardous waste <br /> generated (i . e . handling each residue and its associated container as a whole entity <br /> of hazardous waste) . (Cal . Code Regs . , tit . 22 , § 66261 . 100 , subd . (a) (2 ) . ) <br /> DTSC reaffirmed its position regarding empty containers in a letter dated August 2 , 2018 . <br /> We do not dispute that the California regulatory language is somewhat different than federal <br /> regulations . However, there is an interpretation much more appropriate than DTSC ' s prior <br /> interpretation, yet still fully protective of human health and the environment. It is important to <br /> not overlook that California' s regulation states that empty containers must be managed as a <br /> hazardous waste . California' s regulation does not say that empty containers must be counted <br /> toward a facility ' s generator status because containers do not meet the definition of hazardous <br /> waste under California regulations . See 22 CCR 66261 . 3 . <br /> Based on the 2015 DTSC letter discussed above , which states that DTSC may revisit the <br /> empty container issue when EPA issues the Pharm Rule , we anticipate that DTSC is likely to <br /> reevaluate its position on empty containers . In the meantime , based on (i) EPA ' s data and <br /> conclusions — namely that EPA has investigated and determined that very small amounts of <br /> residues remain in containers after pharmaceuticals are dispensed , and EPA ' s ultimately decision <br /> to not require management or counting of the residue or containers as hazardous (or acute <br /> hazardous) waste ; and (ii) California regulatory language clearly states that non- empty <br /> containers must be managed as hazardous waste, we request that the County conclude that <br /> CVS ' s management requirements for containers that previously held warfarin are compliant with <br /> California regulations . Importantly, CVS manages all containers that previously held warfarin- <br /> family pharmaceuticals as hazardous waste during hazardous waste accumulation at the store <br /> level and when transported, and all containers that previously held warfarin are ultimately <br /> incinerated . CVS ' s approach provides protection to human health and the environment well <br /> above the protection that EPA has concluded (in the Pharm Rule) is warranted, and counting <br /> warfarin empty containers toward CVS ' s generator status would provide no additional <br /> protection . CVS ' s management requirements also comply with the "management" requirement <br /> of the California regulations . <br /> Item 114 relates to sending generator manifest copies to the Department of Toxic <br /> Substances Control (DTSC) . We have confirmed that CVS ' s hazardous waste hauler, Stericycle , <br /> provides copies of generator manifests to DTSC on behalf of CVS for all hazardous waste <br /> pickups at CVS stores in California. We do note that the regulatory requirement pertains to <br /> sending generator copies to DTSC , and not to any requirement that the copies are contained in <br /> (y/S pharmacy / caremark / minute clinic / specialty <br />