ECAR Fact Sheet for Pennsylvania
Hazardous Wastes

In regulating hazardous waste, Pennsylvania uses a federal list of over 600 specific wastes. Other wastes are designated "hazardous" if they contain any of the following characteristics:

1. IGNITABLE - combustible under certain conditions
2. CORROSIVE - highly acidic, basic and/or capable of corroding metal
3. REACTIVE - unstable under normal conditions and capable of creating explosions and/or toxic fumes, gases, and vapors when mixed with water
4. TOXIC - harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed

Hazardous waste generated by auto recycling/salvage yards may include (but are not limited to):

• Spent solvents
• Solvent contaminated wipers/shop towels
• Waste paints
• Mercury switches
• Used antifreeze contaminated with metals, solvents or fuels
• Used oil contaminated with metals, solvent or fuels
• Contaminated gasoline
• Lead-acid batteries.

If you manage hazardous waste, you must determine your generator status. Your facility will fall under one of these three classifications.

• Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG). You are considered a CESQG in a calendar month if you generate no more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of hazardous waste in that month. Information for Hazardous Waste Generators

• Small Quantity Generator (SQG). You are considered an SQG if you generate greater than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) but less than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste in a calendar month. Information for Hazardous Waste Generators.

• Large Quantity Generator (LQG). You are considered an LQG if you generate 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) or more of hazardous waste in a calendar month. You also are considered an LQG if you generate during a calendar month, or accumulate at any time, more than one kilogram of acutely hazardous waste, or more than a total of 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of any residue, contaminated soil, waste, or debris from cleaning up a spill of any acutely hazardous waste onto land or into water. Information for Hazardous Waste Generators

*Because your generator status is determined on a monthly basis, it is possible that your status will change from one month to the next. Periodic or intermittent generation requires you to comply with the respective regulatory requirements for the class of generator applicable for that month. For example, if you generate less than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste during the month of July, you would be considered a CESQG for July and would be subject to the hazardous waste management requirements for CESQGs. If, in August, you generate between 100 and 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste, your generator status would change, and you would be considered an SQG for August. Your facility would then be subject to the management requirements for SQGs. Businesses that fall into different generator categories during different months often choose to satisfy the more stringent requirements at all times to simplify compliance.

For more information, visit ECAR's RCRA/Hazardous Waste Resource Locator.

Links to Regulations.

Hazardous Waste Listings

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