Solid Waste Management Authority
Hazardous Waste Generators
The hazardous waste regulations identify three classifications of hazardous waste generators:
- Conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) – generators of less than 100 kg/mo
- Small quantity generator (SQG) – generators of 100 to 1,000 kg/mo
- Large quantity generator (LQG) – generators of greater than 1,000 kg/mo
The classification is based on how much hazardous waste is generated in a month and accumulated on-site.
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG) generate 100 kilograms or less per month of hazardous waste, or 1 kilogram or less per month of acutely hazardous waste. Requirements for CESQGs include (see also 40 CFR 261.5):
- CESQGs must identify all the hazardous waste generated.
- CESQGs may not accumulate more than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste at any time.
- CESQGs must ensure that hazardous waste is delivered to a person or facility who is authorized to manage it.
Small Quantity Generators
Small Quantity Generators (SQG) generate more than 100 kilograms, but less than 1,000 kilograms, of hazardous waste per month. Requirements for SQGs include:
- SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on site for 180 days without a permit (or 270 days if shipping a distance greater than 200 miles).
- The quantity of hazardous on site waste must never exceed 6,000 kilograms.
- There must always be at least one employee available to respond to an emergency. This employee is the emergency coordinator responsible for coordinating all emergency response measures. SQGs are not required to have detailed, written contingency plans.
Large Quantity Generators
Large Quantity Generators (LQG) generate 1,000 kilograms per month or more of hazardous waste, or more than 1 kilogram per month of acutely hazardous waste. Requirements for LQGs include:
- LQGs may only accumulate waste on site for 90 days. Certain exceptions apply.
- LQGs do not have a limit on the amount of hazardous waste accumulated on site.
- There must always be at least one employee available to respond to an emergency. This employee is the emergency coordinator responsible for coordinating all emergency response measures. LQGs must have detailed, written contingency plans for handling emergencies.
- LQGs must submit a biennial hazardous waste report.
Additional Information
Generators of Hazardous Waste: Small Quantity Generators
Provides information on small quantity generators.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/index.htm