Hazardous Waste Programs

Hazardous waste is regulated by the federal government and can be found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulation CFR, Parts 260 to 271. The State of Florida has adopted by reference portions of the federal regulations into its Florida Administrative Code FAC Rule 62-730.

The Florida Legislature recognized the need for local hazardous waste oversight, so in 1983 they established the Small Quantity Generator Program as described in Sections 403.7225 and 403.7234 of the Florida Statutes FS.

Hazardous waste is identified by one of two ways. Your waste is considered hazardous if it can be found on lists published in the Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Part 261. If your wastes cannot be identified on one of the hazardous waste lists, it still could be a hazardous waste because it exhibits one or more characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity.

In general, hazardous waste generators are broken into three categories based upon the quantity of hazardous waste generated per month:

• Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator CESQG generates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and less than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous waste i.e.; some pesticides, toxins or arsenic and cyanide compounds per month.
• Small Quantity Generators SQG generates 220-2,200 pounds of hazardous waste per month
• Large Quantity Generator LQG generates 2,200 pounds or more of hazardous waste per month or 2.2 pounds or more of acute hazardous waste per month.

The SQG Assessment, Notification, and Verification Program will result in:

1. Up-to-date identification of SQGs statewide.
2. Local hazardous waste management programs that complement state and federal efforts, through compliance and education efforts.
3. A statewide database on SQGs classified by the North American Industry Classification System NAICS.
4. Improved management of hazardous waste, the protection of public health and the county drinking water sources.
5. A better informed business and government community which can properly manage their hazardous waste. This will reduce their potential for civil and even criminal liability for hazardous waste violations.
6. Dissemination of waste reduction technologies and information to help SQGs further reduce their generation of hazardous waste. Knowledge of hazardous materials and wastes stored at a business location, which can be useful for county departments responsible for comprehensive planning, emergency management, fire and police protection, and health care.

For more details and specific requirements review the Florida Handbook for Small Quantity Generators of Hazardous Waste.

Please contact Mike Bryant, SQG Program Coordinator, by phone at 407 962-1108, or via e-mail mbry@osceola.org for specific information and requirements.