Washington Administrative Code
Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508)
Chapter 173-303 - Dangerous waste regulations
Section 173-303-169 - Quantity exclusion limits-Generator category determinations
Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
A generator must determine its generator category. A generator's category is based on the amount of dangerous waste generated each month and may change from month to month. This section sets forth procedures to determine whether a generator is a small quantity generator, a medium quantity generator, or a large quantity generator for a particular month, as defined in WAC 173-303-040.
(1) Quantity exclusion limits. In each of the designation sections describing the lists, characteristics, and criteria, quantity exclusion limits (QEL) are identified. The QEL is the quantity of dangerous waste generated in a calendar month used to distinguish when a dangerous waste is only subject to the small quantity generator provisions, the medium quantity generator provisions, or when a dangerous waste is subject to the large quantity generator provisions. Any solid waste (which is not excluded or exempted) that is listed, exhibits a characteristic, or meets the criteria of this chapter is a dangerous waste.
(2) Aggregated waste quantities.
(3) Generator category determination.
Table 1 Generator Categories Based on Quantity of Waste Generated in a Calendar Month
Quantity of dangerous waste with a QEL of 2.2 pounds generated in a calendar month |
Quantity of dangerous waste with a QEL of 220 pounds generated in a calendar month |
Quantity of residue or contaminated soil, water or other debris from a cleanup of a spill, into or on any land or water of any dangerous waste with a QEL of 2.2 pounds generated in a calendar month |
Generator category |
> 2.2 pounds |
Any amount |
Any amount |
Large quantity generator. |
Any amount |
>= 2,200 pounds |
Any amount |
Large quantity generator. |
Any amount |
Any amount |
> 220 pounds |
Large quantity generator. |
<=2.2 pounds |
> 220 pounds and < 2,200 pounds |
<= 220 pounds |
Medium quantity generator. |
<= 2.2 pounds |
<= 220 pounds |
<= 220 pounds |
Small quantity generator. |
(4) When making the quantity determinations of this subsection and WAC 173-303-170 through 173-303-230, generators must include all dangerous wastes they generate, except dangerous waste that:
(5) In determining the quantity of dangerous waste generated, a generator need not include:
(6) Based on the generator category as determined under this section, the generator must meet the applicable independent requirements listed in WAC 173-303-170. A generator's category also determines which of the provisions of WAC 173-303-171, 173-303-172, 173-303-174 or 173-303-200 must be met to obtain an exemption from the storage facility permit, interim status, and operating requirements when accumulating dangerous waste.
Example. If a person generates 4 pounds of an acute hazardous waste discarded chemical product (QEL 2.2 pounds) and 200 pounds of an ignitable waste (QEL 220 pounds), then both wastes are fully regulated, and the person is not a small quantity generator for either waste. "Fully regulated" in this example means the regulations applicable to a large quantity generator.