What You Need to Know About the U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvement Rule

More than 60 changes to the U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (HWGIR) are currently in effect and Verisk 3E is here to help you understand exactly how these changes apply to you.

Businesses with hazardous waste obligations, including waste determination, counting, consolidation, generator category, mixing, marking, labeling, emergency preparedness, recordkeeping and reporting should be aware of the new requirements and changing regulations.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is comprised of three main categories; municipal solid waste, industrial solid waste and hazardous waste.

• The recent changes apply to the hazardous waste regulatory program within RCRA.
• As a result, businesses must change several of their waste management practices to remain compliant and fulfill RCRA’s goal of protecting human health and the environment from the dangers of hazardous waste.

These changes apply to all categories of hazardous waste generators. For example, you must adhere to new mixing and label requirements whether your business is a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG), a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) or a Large Quantity Generator (LQG).

Another major change requires businesses to evaluate their waste for hazardous characteristics and be fully aware of the waste origin, composition and waste-producing process. Also, businesses must now label RCRA waste codes on containers for SQGs and LQGs.

Additionally, these changing regulations are in place to help clarify requirements around generators. Now only one category per month per generator is permitted as opposed to operating in two categories such as acute and non-acute.

With so many new obligations to make sense of, Verisk 3E’s hazardous waste experts have the answers and support you need to determine how these changes affect your business. The hazardous waste team at Verisk 3E is available to contact you now or reach us direct at (800) 346-6737. We can help you protect your brand and bottom line.

To further understand HWGIR obligations for all generator levels check out these resources:

• On-demand Webinar: Understanding the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule Webinar 
• HWGIR Q&A: Your Questions Answered