Once a facility determines that it generates hazardous wastes, the facility must determine how much of each type (acute and non-acute hazardous waste) it generates on a monthly basis. The amount of hazardous waste generated by a facility on a monthly basis establishes the facility’s generator category/status. The three categories are Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG), Small Quantity Generator (SQG), and Large Quantity Generator (LQG).

How to Determine Your Generator Category:

Hazardous waste generators are regulated according to the amount of waste they generate in a calendar month. Generator category is determined by this monthly amount. The generator must determine its generator status to determine which regulations apply.40 CFR § 262.13 (c) and (d)identify those hazardous wastes that count toward generator status.

 If a generator’s amount generated fluctuates from month to month, the generator should establish its generator category based on the highest monthly amount that it generates in the calendar year, and comply with the requirements for that generator status. The generator is required to keep track of how much hazardous waste it generates every month of the year.

Below are the three generator category classifications and the volume of hazardous waste associated with each type. Select the hyperlink to find out more information about the regulations for the corresponding generator status.

Table: Generator Categories based on Quantity of Waste Generation in a Calendar Month

Generator Category in the table for a summary of HW Generator Requirements

GENERATOR CATEGORY

QUANTITY OF NON-ACUTE HW PER CALENDAR MONTH

Quantity of ACUTE HW PER CALENDAR MONTH

VSQG

<100 kg (220 lbs)

<1 kilogram (2.2 lbs) of acute hazardous waste listed in §261.31 or §261.33(e); and
<100 kg (220 lbs) of any residue or contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into or on any land or water, of any acute hazardous waste listed in §261.31 or §261.33(e)

SQG

> 100 kg and < 1,000 kg (>220 lbs and < 2,200 lbs)

Same as above for VSQG

LQG

≥1,000 kg (2,200 lbs)

>1 kg (2.2 lbs) of acute hazardous waste listed in §261.31 or §261.33(e); or

>100 kg (220 lbs) of any residue or contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into or on any land or water, of any acute hazardous waste listed in §261.31 or §261.33(e)

Based on the amounts above, the generator requirements for VSQG, SQG and LQG can be found in the section entitled Hazardous Waste Generator Requirements 

Name/Email Position Phone
Lisa Ellis HW Compliance Coordinator 804-912-7366
Lisa Silvia Tidewater Regional Office Waste Team Lead 757-407-2905
Chris Archambeault Northern Regional Office HW Compliance Inspector 517-866-6096
Jeremy Hicks Piedmont Regional Office HW Compliance Inspector 804-659-2687
Justen Dick Southwest Regional Office HW Compliance Inspector 276-608-8604
Becky Wright Blue Ridge Regional Office Waste Team Lead 540-597-6198
Matthew Pennington Valley Regional Office HW Compliance Inspector 540-217-7072