How to Determine Your Generator Status
Every business in Idaho is required to track the volume of wastes generated, determine whether or not each type of waste is hazardous, and ensure that all wastes are properly disposed of according to federal, state, and local requirements.
Calculating How Much Hazardous Waste You Produce
Hazardous waste generators are regulated according to the amount of waste generated in a calendar month. To determine your generator status, calculate how much hazardous waste is produced as follows:
- Make a list of wastes generated.
- Identify whether the wastes are a hazardous or nonhazardous. The following resources can help with this determination:
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Product suppliers
- EPA and DEQ
- Analytical testing labs
- Add up the total weight of hazardous wastes generated each month. (You may need to convert volume into pounds by using the density of the specific liquid.)
Do you have a sump pump?
If so, determine whether the sump waste generated is hazardous and, if so, include it in your hazardous waste volumes.
Do you use solvents?
If so, determine whether the spent solvents generated are hazardous and, if so, include it in your hazardous waste volumes.
Generator Categories
Based on volume, hazardous waste generators are classified in one of the three following categories:
- Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
- Small Quantity Generator
- Large Quantity Generator
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator
A conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) generates the following:
- 220 pounds or less of hazardous wastes per calendar month
- 2.2 pounds or less of acutely hazardous wastes per calendar month
As a CESQG, the following requirements must be met:
- Track of your waste and identify all hazardous wastes generated, and determine the total amount generated and stored on site each month. Be prepared to document that you are within the limits for this classification. You are not required, but may wish, to obtain an EPA identification number to track quantities, types, and movement of hazardous wastes generated.
- Limit on-site storage of hazardous wastes generated to no more than
2,200 pounds at any time. - Properly dispose of hazardous wastes. Ensure that all hazardous wastes are delivered to an approved municipal solid waste landfill or permitted hazardous waste facility, or a facility that beneficially uses or reuses, or legitimately recycles or reclaims the waste.
Small Quantity Generator
A small quantity generator (SQG) generates the following:
- More than 220 pounds but less than 2,200 pounds of hazardous wastes per calendar month
- 2.2 pounds or less of acutely hazardous wastes per calendar month
As an SQG, the following requirements must be met:
- Track of your waste and identify all hazardous wastes generated, and determine the total amount generated and stored on site each month.
- Obtain an EPA identification number to track quantities, types, and movement of hazardous wastes generated.
- Limit on-site storage of hazardous wastes generated to no more than
13,200 pounds for 180 days or less (or 270 days if the treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facility is more than 200 miles from generator facility). (If you store hazardous wastes longer than the regulated time or accept hazardous waste generated by another entity, you may be considered a TSD facility subject to TSD permitting requirements.) - Properly dispose of hazardous wastes. Ensure that all hazardous wastes are delivered to a permitted hazardous waste facility, or a facility that beneficially uses or reuses, or legitimately recycles or reclaims the waste.
- Report annually to DEQ on the types and quantities of hazardous waste generated and how or where the hazardous waste was stored, treated, or disposed. Link to state reporting form and instructions.
Large Quantity Generator
A large quantity generator (LQG) generates the following:
- 2,200 or more pounds of hazardous wastes per calendar month
- More than 2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous wastes per calendar month
As an LQG, the following requirements must be met:
- Track of your waste and identify all hazardous wastes generated, and determine the total amount generated and stored on site each month.
- Obtain an EPA identification number to track quantities, types, and movement of hazardous wastes generated.
- Limit on-site storage of hazardous wastes generated to no more than
2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous wastes for 90 days or less. (If you store hazardous wastes longer than the regulated time or accept hazardous waste generated by another entity, you may be considered a TSD facility subject to TSD permitting requirements.) - Properly dispose of hazardous wastes. Ensure that all hazardous wastes are delivered to a permitted hazardous waste facility, or a facility that beneficially uses or reuses, or legitimately recycles or reclaims the waste.
- Report annually to DEQ on the types and quantities of hazardous waste generated and how or where the hazardous waste was stored, treated, or disposed.
- Report biennially to EPA on the quantities and types of hazardous waste generated and how it was managed (treated, stored, or disposed).
Hazardous Waste Shipping Instructions (Manifest Information)
Anytime a hazardous waste is moved off site, a manifest is required to accompany the waste. The manifest is designed to track waste from the time it leaves the generator until it arrives at a permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility. The manifest allows waste generators to verify that wastes have been properly delivered and that no waste has been lost or unaccounted for in the process.
Idaho does not require copies of manifests to be submitted to it regardless of whether the waste originates or is disposed of in the state. The only exception is when DEQ is the generator of the waste.
Idaho does not have any state-specific waste codes.
Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities
Facilities where hazardous waste is treated, stored, or disposed are required to have a permit. Learn more.