Hazardous waste manifest basics

• Hazardous waste generators must complete and sign the top copy of the hazardous waste manifest in order to ship waste offsite.
• Transporters of hazardous waste do not normally fill out the hazardous waste manifest, but they are required to carry it when transporting hazardous waste.
• Receiving facilities are the ultimate destination for hazardous waste and play a large role in the hazardous waste manifest system.

Hazardous waste generators must complete and sign the top copy of the hazardous waste manifest in order to ship waste offsite. This includes the following:

• Electronic manifests may be obtained on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) e-Manifest website. Note: Generators must register on the e-Manifest system if they wish to sign manifests electronically in the system.
• The manifest must contain a unique 12-digit tracking number (provided by the printer or EPA).
• Fill out the required fields on the manifest. The fields are the same on the paper and electronic versions.
• Train employees who sign the manifest. This training must cover the required elements of EPA’s hazardous waste regulations and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) hazardous materials regulations.
• Sign the top copy of the manifest and offer the rest of the copies to the transporter. The transporter will sign a copy of the manifest and offer it to any subsequent transporters. Yet another copy will remain at the receiving facility. The final copy is returned to the generator.
• If a large quantity generator (LQG) has not received a signed copy back from the receiving facility within 30 days, the generator must attempt to contact the receiving facility. If the generator cannot resolve the problem, an exception report must be filed with the state.
• If a small quantity generator (SQG) has not received a signed copy back from the receiving facility within 60 days, the SQG must send a copy of the manifest to the state.
• The hazardous waste manifest must list a contact person who is available 24-hours a day to answer questions in an emergency.
• The manifest must list the facility’s EPA identification number.
• If a generator runs out of room to complete the manifest, a manifest continuation sheet (EPA Form 8700-22A) must be used.
• Once the generator receives the completed and signed manifest from the receiving facility, the records must be kept for a minimum of three years.

Transporters of hazardous waste do not normally fill out the hazardous waste manifest, but they are required to carry it when transporting hazardous waste. Transporters must:

• Ensure that the hazardous waste being offered for shipment by small and large quantity generators (and state-only hazardous waste) is accompanied by a signed hazardous waste manifest.
• If the manifest is in electronic format, the generator should provide a printed copy of the transporters copy for transportation. DOT currently requires the presence of a hard copy paper manifest during transportation.
• Before transporting hazardous waste, the transporter must sign and date the manifest acknowledging acceptance of the waste from the generator. Note: To sign an electronic manifest, the transporter must be registered in the e-Manifest system.
• The transporter must return a signed copy to the generator before leaving the generator’s property.
• If the transporter delivers the waste to another transporter or to the designated receiving facility must:
  • Keep one copy of the manifest;
  • Give the remaining copies to the next transporter or receiving facility; and
  • Retain the records for at least three years.
• The transporter must deliver the entire shipment of hazardous waste to:
  • The receiving facility listed on the manifest;
  • The alternate designated facility;
  • The next designated transporter; or
  • The place outside the U.S. designated by the generator.
• If the load of hazardous waste is rejected by the receiving facility, the transporter must retain a copy of the original manifest and obtain a signed new manifest from the rejecting facility.

Receiving facilities, also known as treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, are the ultimate destination for hazardous waste. Receiving facilities play a large role in the hazardous waste manifest system. Their responsibilities include:

• To handle electronic manifests, the designated facility must have an EPA Identification Number (even state-only waste facilities) and register with the e-Manifest system.
• Complete the designated facility’s portion of the manifest, including management method codes.
• Return a signed copy of the manifest (page four) to the transporter.
• Return a signed copy of the manifest (page two) to the generator within 35 days for a paper manifest and 30 days for the electronic manifest.
• Within 30 days of receipt of the waste, submit page one of a paper manifest, or submit an image file of page one of the manifest, to federal EPA for data processing.
• Retain a copy of each manifest for at least three years from the date of delivery.
• Pay the assessed fees from EPA at the end of each month.