Treating Hazardous Waste

Waste's chemical and physical properties should not be altered from their initial status at the point of generation. Waste should not be allowed to evaporate, volatilize, or solidify as a means of removing hazardous constituents or liquid from the waste.

Only permitted treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs) can treat hazardous waste, with the following exceptions for generators:

Large Quantity/Small Quantity 

Generally, large and small quantity generators may recycle their hazardous waste on-site without a permit, provided they comply with the waste accumulation time limits and other waste accumulation regulations.¹ In addition, a generator may treat their hazardous waste on-site in a generator accumulation unit (e.g., tank or container) without a hazardous waste permit to render it either non-hazardous or less hazardous, provided they comply with all of the applicable hazardous waste generator requirements,¹ and provided that the treatment is not thermal treatment. Otherwise, treatment and disposal of the hazardous waste is subject to the hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) regulations² and permitting regulations.³

Hazardous waste that is destined for land disposal must meet all applicable treatment standards prior to land disposal | View Treatment Standards Table at 40 CFR §268.40 >

Very Small Quantity

Allowed to treat hazardous waste onsite without a permit if the facility meets one of the conditions in code.⁴ If a very small quantity generator does not meet one of these conditions, it:

1. May choose to operate as a Small Quantity Generator and meet the standards that apply to that generator category⁵ or
2. Must have a permit⁶ or operate under interim status⁷ before treating hazardous waste onsite.⁸

Examples of improper treatment of hazardous waste | View Photos > 

Storing Hazardous Waste

• Secondary containment is not meant for storage, therefore it must be maintained, clean and dry
• Waste must be stored in approved containers at all times | View Container Management Tips >
• Volatile chemicals must be contained to prevent emission into the air
• All containers should be free of residues

Examples of proper and improper storage of hazardous waste | View Photos > 

Disposing of Hazardous Waste

• Have hazardous waste transported to a permitted TSDF
• Use a hazardous waste transporter that is registered with ADEQ and has a valid EPA ID # 
• Generators may ship to in-state TSDFs permitted with ADEQ or out-of-state TSDFs permitted in their respective states.

Handling Hazardous Waste Spills or Leaks

If a spill or leak occurs, the hazardous waste must be cleaned up immediately and reported, if necessary. Spills should also be reported to ADEQ at 602-771-2330. After reporting the spill, contact an environmental management company to clean up the spill, if needed.