Managing Hazardous Waste

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Hazardous Waste Identification (ID) Numbers

What is a Hazardous Waste EPA ID Number and Who Needs One?

A hazardous waste EPA ID number is issued by either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( federal EPA ID numbers) or by DTSC (California State EPA ID numbers). The EPA ID number identifies each handler of hazardous waste on hazardous waste manifests and other paperwork. In addition, the EPA ID number enables regulators to track the waste from its origin to final disposal, a process also referred to as “cradle to grave.” With a few exceptions (See Exemptions to a Hazardous Waste EPA ID Number), most hazardous waste generators must have an EPA ID number before a registered hazardous waste transporter will accept their waste for shipment. All hazardous waste transporters and permitted treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs) must have EPA ID numbers.

How Many ID Numbers Do I Need?

Each facility where hazardous waste is generated requires a separate ID number. State EPA ID numbers are site and owner specific, and federal EPA ID numbers are site specific. If you have a business that generates waste at multiple addresses that are not physically connected (contiguous), each address needs a separate ID number. In the case where generators are independent businesses that operate in suites within the same building, each business must have their own ID number. If you are not clear as to whether you operate on one site or multiple sites please contact DTSC at 800-618-6942 or email idnumber@dtsc.ca.gov.

Types of Hazardous Waste EPA ID Numbers

Permanent EPA ID numbers are issued to people or businesses who routinely generate or handle hazardous waste. Permanent EPA ID numbers are divided into two categories called State EPA and federal EPA ID numbers. The type of ID number you need to obtain is determined by the type and quantity of waste you generate. Please read below for explanations about State EPA and federal EPA ID numbers.

Temporary EPA ID numbers are issued to people or businesses who do not routinely generate hazardous waste. They are used for one time or short duration events, such as the following:

asbestos abatement
removing underground tanks
removing hazardous waste that was abandoned in a leased building
households performing certain remodeling activities
businesses with a one-time pick up of hazardous waste
demolition of a building.

Temporary ID numbers are valid for 90 days and cannot be renewed. You may request for a permanent State or federal EPA ID number if you need another ID number after your temporary ID number expires. Temporary EPA ID numbers are divided into two categories called State EPA or federal EPA ID numbers. The type of ID number you need to obtain is determined by the type and quantity of waste you generate. Please read below for explanations about State EPA and federal EPA ID numbers.

California State EPA ID numbers are issued to people and businesses who generate the following:

Less than 100 kg of RCRA hazardous waste per month
Less than 1 kg of RCRA acutely hazardous waste per month
Any amount of a non-RCRA hazardous waste per month

One hundred (100) kg is 220 pounds, which is about 27 gallons of liquid volume.

California-only waste is commonly known as non-RCRA waste. Examples of non-RCRA hazardous waste are used oil or universal waste. Examples of universal waste are fluorescent lamps, batteries, and mercury waste. State EPA ID numbers are owner and site specific. When the legal business owner and/or site location changes, a new State EPA ID number must be obtained. Please go to California Hazardous Waste Codes for a list of non-RCRA (California-only) waste codes.

Federal EPA ID numbers are issued to handlers of RCRA (federal) hazardous waste. If you or your business generates more than 100 kilograms of RCRA hazardous waste and/or more than 1 kilogram of RCRA acutely hazardous waste per month, you will need to obtain a federal EPA ID number. Federal EPA ID numbers are site specific.

U.S. EPA now has an online tool called myRCRAid, a module of the RCRAInfo Industry Application, to help you get and update your site’s permanent federal EPA ID number. For more information go to Using myRCRAid.

To learn more about RCRA hazardous waste, please go to the U.S. EPA’s Waste Code List and Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 261.

Please go to California Hazardous Waste Codes for a list of non-RCRA (California-only) waste codes.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) ID Numbers

Household hazardous waste ID numbers can only be obtained by a government employee, not a contractor or consultant.

Permanent HHW ID numbers are used for collection events reoccurring at the same site on a regular basis, such as once every 30-90 days or used for a collection site that is always open, such as a garbage facility.

Temporary HHW ID numbers are used for a one-time collection event and will be inactivated after 90 days. The application (see How To Apply for a Household Hazardous Waste ID Number) must be received at least 45 days prior to the event.

How to Apply for a Household Hazardous Waste ID Number

To apply for a HHW ID number, complete and submit the DTSC Form 1358. Write “Permanent Household Hazardous Waste” or “Temporary Household Hazardous Waste” at the top of the application. For one-time single collection events, also write the date of the event along with the event name, if any, at the top of the application. Please email the completed application to idnumber@dtsc.ca.gov with ‘Household Hazardous Waste Request’ in the subject line of the email.

For a series of collection events at different sites in the applicant’s respective city/county, the applicant will need a HHW ID number for each location. If the same site is used more than once, please obtain a permanent HHW ID number. If the site location will only be used once, please obtain a temporary HHW ID number.

If the event is a door-to-door event, then the site location address will be the address of the consolidation site or the address of the government agency.

Emergency EPA ID Numbers

Emergency hazardous waste EPA identification (ID) numbers are issued for emergencies involving hazardous waste, such as a spill or a clandestine lab cleanup. These ID numbers are generally only given to government agencies or their contractors.

There are two categories of emergency ID numbers issued:

Emergency federal EPA ID numbers are used for 100 kg or more of RCRA hazardous waste, and/or 1 kg or more of acutely hazardous waste.

Emergency State ID numbers are issued for all other hazardous waste.

To obtain an emergency ID number please call one of the following numbers:

Normal Business Hours. Please call DTSC at (800) 618-6942 if calling from within the U.S.

After Hours. Please call the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) at (800) 852-7550.

Exemptions to a Hazardous Waste EPA ID Number

Generators who produce less than or equal to 100 kg of RCRA hazardous waste that is hazardous only due to silver each month, such as spent photo-processing solutions, do not need a hazardous waste EPA ID number. This exemption does not apply if the generator produces any other hazardous waste.