Hazardous Waste

• Labeling
• Training
• Inspections
• Documentation

• Ignitability
• Reactivity
• Corrosivity
• Toxicity

• F-list
• K-list
• P-list
• U-list

• M-list
• Used OIl

• Universal Waste
• Hazardous Waste Recycling
• Certified Appliance Recyclers
• Tiered Permitting

If your facility generates 12,000 kilograms (26,400 pounds or 3,300 gallons) of a non-exempted hazardous waste in a reporting year (e.g., 2018), you must complete a Source Reduction Evaluation Review and Plan, a Hazardous Waste Management Performance Report, and complete a Summary Progress Report before the following September 1 (e.g., September 1, 2019).

These documents will guide you into looking at your facility and finding ways to reduce waste. Exclusions apply to automotive fluids, cleanup soil, and several other types of wastes. Please note that reporting recurs every four years. Please go to the web site of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to get more information about the forms and instructions.

Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that are widely produced by households and many different types of businesses. The creation and implementation of California’s Universal Waste Rule allows individuals and businesses to transport, handle and recycle certain common hazardous wastes, termed universal wastes, in a manner that differs from the requirements for most hazardous wastes. The more relaxed requirements for managing universal wastes were adopted to ensure that they are managed safely and are not disposed of in the trash. Common universal wastes include the following:

• non-automotive batteries
• fluorescent tubes
• cathode ray tube (CRT) materials
• consumer electronic devices
• non-empty aerosol cans
• mercury switches
• Intact, non-shattered, photovoltaic cells

For more information on proper management of Universal Wastes, please refer to the Department of Toxic Substances Control Universal Waste Page or contact us.
 

The Department of Toxic Substances Control adopted the mandatory provisions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA’s) Hazardous Waste Generator Improvement Rule (GIR). The adopted provisions of the GIR became effective in California on July 1, 2024. To summarize, the GIR does the following:

• Re-organizes and consolidates generator regulations
• Provides greater flexibility to generators
• Strengthens environmental protections by identifying regulatory gaps
• Clarifies certain aspects of the generator program

Please visit the following Frequently Asked Questions webpage for questions regarding the adoption of the GIR in California.

Please visit the following Final Regulations webpage for the final regulation rulemaking information. Please be sure to check the website for more information as DTSC continues to update this website.

DTSC encourages all interested parties to subscribe to the GIR E-List to receive updates and information regarding the adoption of the Generator Improvements Rule in California.