Hazardous waste manifest requirements

The Hazardous Waste Manifest System is a set of forms, reports and procedures designed to seamlessly track hazardous waste from the time it leaves the generator facility where it was produced, until it reaches the off-site waste management facility that will store, treat or dispose of the hazardous waste. The system allows the waste generator to verify that the waste has been properly delivered, and that no waste has been lost or unaccounted for in the process.

The key component of this system is the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, which is a form prepared by all generators who transport, or offer for transport, hazardous waste for off-site treatment, recycling, storage or disposal, unless the generator is exempted from this requirement. In 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest.

Currently, the manifest is a paper document with multiple copies of a single form. When completed, it contains information on the type and quantity of waste being transported, instructions for handling the waste and signature lines for all parties involved in the disposal process.

The manifest is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the EPA and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Each party that handles the waste signs the manifest and retains a copy for themselves. This ensures critical accountability in the transportation and disposal processes. Once the waste reaches its destination, the receiving facility returns a signed copy of the manifest to the generator, confirming that the waste has been received by the designated facility.

• Hazardous Waste Manifest System [exit DNR]

Specific manifest requirements for Wisconsin generators and TSDs

Wisconsin generators must use the National Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest. There is no longer a state-specific manifest form.

• There are no longer any Wisconsin-specific hazardous waste codes (e.g., F500).
• Generators are no longer required to send any manifest copies to the DNR if the waste is sent to a Wisconsin hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal (TSD) facility.
• Under s. NR 662.023(3), Wis. Adm. Code, hazardous waste generators only have to send a copy of the final signed manifests to the DNR if the shipments are sent to out-of-state hazardous waste management facilities for treatment or disposal. No other copies are required to be sent to the DNR.
• Wisconsin-licensed hazardous waste management facilities submit final, signed copies of manifests to the DNR for shipments of waste they receive and for their own shipments of waste out of state.
• Small quantity generators may be exempt from using manifests if their hazardous waste is reclaimed under a contractual agreement, and it meets certain conditions (s. NR 662.191, Wis. Adm. Code).

Generators should mail the manifest copies to:

Department of Natural Resources
Bureau of Waste and Materials Management
PO Box 8094
Madison WI 53708

More information

• Hazardous Waste Manifests: A Guide for Hazardous Waste Generators (WA-1176) [PDF].
• Transporting Hazardous Waste (WA-137) [PDF]