Generators of Hazardous Waste

A generator is defined as any individual or organization that generates hazardous waste. A generator must determine its generator category, which is based on the amount of hazardous waste generated each month and may change from month to month.

Federal regulations set forth a procedure for generators to determine their generator categories. A generator that either produces acute hazardous waste or non-acute hazardous waste in a calendar month must determine its generator category for that month by counting the total amount of hazardous waste generated in the calendar month, subtracting from the total any amounts of waste exempt from counting, and determining the resulting generator category.

A generator that generates both acute hazardous waste and non-acute hazardous waste in the same calendar month must determine its generator category for that month by doing the following:

1. Counting separately the total amount of acute hazardous waste and the total amount of non-acute hazardous waste generated in the calendar month
2. Subtracting from each total any amounts of waste exempt from counting
3. Determining separately the resulting generator categories for the quantities of acute and non-acute hazardous waste generated
4. Comparing the resulting generator categories and applying the more stringent generator category to the accumulation and management of both non-acute hazardous waste and acute hazardous waste generated for that month

Types of waste exempt from counting when making the monthly quantity-based determinations are set forth in 40 CFR 262.13.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.