Hazardous waste is waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges. They can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes.

The term "hazardous waste" is reserved for materials that meet very specific criteria spelled out in the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the regulations associated with it.

Hazardous waste regulations are developed and enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and by state and local environmental agencies.

There are three types of Hazardous Waste generators:

Conditionally-Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CE-SQG) who generate less than 100 kg of non-acute hazardous waste a month, less than 1 kg of acute hazardous waste a month (e.g. p-listed wastes such as epinephrine) and less than 100 kg of residues or contaminated soil, waste, and other debris from the spill cleanup of acute hazardous waste.

Small Quantity Generators (SQG) who generate between 100 kg and 1000 kg of non-acute hazardous waste a month, less than 1 kg of acute hazardous waste a month, and less than 100 kg of spill residue from acute hazardous waste.

Large Quantity Generators (LQG) who generate 1000 kg or more of non-acute hazardous waste a month, 1 kg or more of acute hazardous waste a month, and 100 kg or more of spill residue from acute hazardous waste.

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For specific examples of Hazardous materials and to learn how to properly dispose of you hazardous waste, please contact your local provider, Medical Waste Management.