asset: hazwaste-generator-category-thresholds

asset_type: threshold

body: The quantity thresholds that put a hazardous waste generator into a category, and what each category obliges, stated side by side for the three authorities where the answer diverges: federal EPA (40 CFR 262.13 generator category table), California DTSC (22 CCR 66262 — California never adopted the federal VSQG exemption, so a generator below 100 kg/month is still regulated at SQG level, with 180-day accumulation and manifesting), and Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303 — 'dangerous waste', where the state's word 'SQG' means what federal law calls a VSQG and the federal 'SQG' maps to the state's 'MQG'). The same kilograms put the same lab in three different compliance positions under three different names. Answers 'am I exempt as a very small quantity generator in California' (no — and the unaided answer's own framing is the trap), 'how much hazardous waste can I accumulate and for how long', and 'what does Washington call a small quantity generator'. Same fact from multiple authorities with disagreements stated — the juxtaposition class the strategy says is the strongest citation shape and the portfolio has almost none of.

key_field: category

licence: US federal and state regulation and agency guidance; facts not copyrightable, quoted with citation.

title: Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations

type: dataset


authority: California DTSC (22 CCR 66262)

body:
**Authority:** California DTSC (22 CCR 66262)

**Generator category:** Large Quantity Generator (LQG)

**Quantity threshold:** 1,000 kg or more of hazardous waste per calendar month (excluding universal wastes)

**Acute waste threshold:** more than 1 kg of acutely or extremely hazardous per calendar month

> Large Quantity Generator (LQG) – Generators of 1,000 kg or more of hazardous waste per calendar month (excluding universal wastes), and/or more than 1 kg of acutely or extremely hazardous per calendar month.

Source: <https://dtsc.ca.gov/hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-fact-sheet/>

category: Large Quantity Generator (LQG)

title: Large Quantity Generator (LQG) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations

type: threshold


body:
**Authority:** California DTSC (22 CCR 66262)

**Generator category:** LQGs

**Key obligations:** LQGs may accumulate waste for up to 90 days from the first date which any hazardous waste is accumulated

> SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste onsite for up to 180 days, or for up to 270 days if the waste will be transported 200 miles or more for treatment, storage, or disposal. LQGs may accumulate waste for up to 90 days from the first date which any hazardous waste is accumulated.

Source: <https://dtsc.ca.gov/hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-fact-sheet/>

category: LQGs

title: LQGs — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** California DTSC (22 CCR 66262)

**Generator category:** Small Quantity Generator (SQG)

**Quantity threshold:** less than 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per calendar month (excluding universal wastes)

**Acute waste threshold:** 1kg or less of acutely or extremely hazardous waste per calendar month

> Small Quantity Generator (SQG) – Generators of less than 1,000 kg of hazardous waste per calendar month (excluding universal wastes), and/or 1kg or less of acutely or extremely hazardous waste per calendar month.

Source: <https://dtsc.ca.gov/hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-fact-sheet/>

category: Small Quantity Generator (SQG)

title: Small Quantity Generator (SQG) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** California DTSC (22 CCR 66262)

**Generator category:** SQGs

**Key obligations:** SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste onsite for up to 180 days, or for up to 270 days if the waste will be transported 200 miles or more for treatment, storage, or disposal

> SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste onsite for up to 180 days, or for up to 270 days if the waste will be transported 200 miles or more for treatment, storage, or disposal. LQGs may accumulate waste for up to 90 days from the first date which any hazardous waste is accumulated.

Source: <https://dtsc.ca.gov/hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-fact-sheet/>

category: SQGs

title: SQGs — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** California DTSC (22 CCR 66262)

**Generator category:** Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)

**Quantity threshold:** less than 100 kg of non-acute hazardous waste

**Acute waste threshold:** less than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste in a calendar month

**Key obligations:** DTSC has not adopted the federal VSQG exemption

> Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) – Generators of less than 100 kg of non-acute hazardous waste and less than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste in a calendar month. Because DTSC has not adopted the federal VSQG exemption, VSQGs are required to comply with the requirements

Source: <https://dtsc.ca.gov/hazardous-waste-generator-requirements-fact-sheet/>

category: Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)

title: Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


acute_threshold: > 1 kg

authority: EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

body:
**Authority:** EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

**Generator category:** Large quantity generator

**Quantity threshold:** ≥ 1,000 kg

**Acute waste threshold:** > 1 kg

> > 1 kg | Any amount | Any amount | Large quantity generator. | Any amount | ≥ 1,000 kg | Any amount | Large quantity generator.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-262/subpart-A/section-262.13>

category: Large quantity generator

title: Large quantity generator — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations

unverified_fields: authority


body:
**Authority:** EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

**Generator category:** Large Quantity Generators (LQGs)

**Quantity threshold:** 1,000 kilograms per month or more of hazardous waste

**Acute waste threshold:** more than one kilogram per month of acutely hazardous waste

**Key obligations:** LQGs may only accumulate waste on-site for 90 days. Certain exceptions apply. LQGs do not have a limit on the amount of hazardous waste accumulated on-site.

> Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) generate 1,000 kilograms per month or more of hazardous waste or more than one kilogram per month of acutely hazardous waste. Major requirements for LQGs include: LQGs may only accumulate waste on-site for 90 days. Certain exceptions apply. LQGs do not have a limit on the amount of hazardous waste accumulated on-site.

Source: <https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/categories-hazardous-waste-generators>

category: Large Quantity Generators (LQGs)

title: Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


acute_threshold: ≤ 1 kg

body:
**Authority:** EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

**Generator category:** Small quantity generator

**Quantity threshold:** > 100 kg and < 1,000 kg

**Acute waste threshold:** ≤ 1 kg

> ≤ 1 kg | > 100 kg and < 1,000 kg | ≤ 100 kg | Small quantity generator.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-262/subpart-A/section-262.13>

category: Small quantity generator

title: Small quantity generator — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

**Generator category:** Small Quantity Generators (SQGs)

**Quantity threshold:** more than 100 kilograms, but less than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month

**Key obligations:** SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 180 days without a permit (or 270 days if shipping a distance greater than 200 miles). The quantity of hazardous on-site waste must never exceed 6,000 kilograms.

> Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) generate more than 100 kilograms, but less than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month. Major requirements for SQGs include: SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 180 days without a permit (or 270 days if shipping a distance greater than 200 miles). The quantity of hazardous on-site waste must never exceed 6,000 kilograms.

Source: <https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/categories-hazardous-waste-generators>

category: Small Quantity Generators (SQGs)

title: Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

**Generator category:** Very small quantity generator

**Quantity threshold:** ≤ 100 kg

**Acute waste threshold:** ≤ 1 kg

> ≤ 1 kg | ≤ 100 kg | ≤ 100 kg | Very small quantity generator.

Source: <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-262/subpart-A/section-262.13>

category: Very small quantity generator

quantity_threshold: ≤ 100 kg

title: Very small quantity generator — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** EPA (federal, 40 CFR 262.13)

**Generator category:** Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs)

**Quantity threshold:** 100 kilograms or less per month of hazardous waste

**Acute waste threshold:** one kilogram or less per month of acutely hazardous waste

**Key obligations:** VSQGs may not accumulate more than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste at any time

> Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) generate 100 kilograms or less per month of hazardous waste or one kilogram or less per month of acutely hazardous waste. Requirements for VSQGs include: VSQGs must identify all the hazardous waste generated. VSQGs may not accumulate more than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste at any time. VSQGs must ensure that hazardous waste is delivered to a person or facility who is authorized to manage it.

Source: <https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/categories-hazardous-waste-generators>

category: Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs)

title: Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


authority: Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

body:
**Authority:** Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

**Generator category:** large quantity generator (LQG)

**Quantity threshold:** 2,200 pounds or more of dangerous waste

**Acute waste threshold:** More than 2.2 pounds of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste

> You are considered a large quantity generator (LQG) if you generate: • 2,200 pounds or more of dangerous waste, OR • More than 2.2 pounds of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste, OR • More than 220 pounds of spills of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste.

Source: <https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Doc-Assets/Hazardous-waste/Dangerous-Waste-Guidance/Dangerous-Waste-Basics/Monthly-generation-limits-plain-text>

category: large quantity generator (LQG)

quantity_threshold: 2,200 pounds or more of dangerous waste

title: large quantity generator (LQG) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

**Generator category:** LQG

**Federal equivalent category:** LQG

> The federal and state regulations use different terms to identify generator categories. Keep this in mind when reading through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) guidance and rules. State | Federal | SQG | VSQG | MQG | SQG | LQG | LQG |

Source: <https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/generator-category>

category: LQG

federal_equivalent: LQG

title: LQG — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

**Generator category:** medium quantity generator (MQG)

**Quantity threshold:** More than 220 pounds but less than 2,200 pounds of dangerous waste

**Acute waste threshold:** 2.2 pounds or less of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste

> You are considered a medium quantity generator (MQG) if you generate: • More than 220 pounds but less than 2,200 pounds of dangerous waste, AND • 2.2 pounds or less of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste, AND • 220 pounds or less of spills of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste.

Source: <https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Doc-Assets/Hazardous-waste/Dangerous-Waste-Guidance/Dangerous-Waste-Basics/Monthly-generation-limits-plain-text>

category: medium quantity generator (MQG)

title: medium quantity generator (MQG) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

**Generator category:** MQG

**Federal equivalent category:** SQG

> The federal and state regulations use different terms to identify generator categories. Keep this in mind when reading through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) guidance and rules. State | Federal | SQG | VSQG | MQG | SQG | LQG | LQG |

Source: <https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/generator-category>

category: MQG

federal_equivalent: SQG

title: MQG — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

**Generator category:** small quantity generator (SQG)

**Quantity threshold:** 220 pounds or less of dangerous waste

**Acute waste threshold:** 2.2 pounds or less of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste

> You are considered a small quantity generator (SQG) if you generate: • 220 pounds or less of dangerous waste, AND • 2.2 pounds or less of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste, AND • 220 pounds or less of spills of toxic extremely hazardous waste and/or acute hazardous waste.

Source: <https://ecology.wa.gov/Asset-Collections/Doc-Assets/Hazardous-waste/Dangerous-Waste-Guidance/Dangerous-Waste-Basics/Monthly-generation-limits-plain-text>

category: small quantity generator (SQG)

quantity_threshold: 220 pounds or less of dangerous waste

title: small quantity generator (SQG) — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations


body:
**Authority:** Washington Ecology (WAC 173-303)

**Generator category:** SQG

**Federal equivalent category:** VSQG

> The federal and state regulations use different terms to identify generator categories. Keep this in mind when reading through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) guidance and rules. State | Federal | SQG | VSQG | MQG | SQG | LQG | LQG |

Source: <https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/dangerous-waste-guidance/dangerous-waste-basics/generator-category>

category: SQG

federal_equivalent: VSQG

title: SQG — Hazardous waste generator categories — federal vs California vs Washington thresholds and obligations