Accumulation

Nearly full barrel with a yardstick to show the contents are almost full

Businesses may accumulate dangerous waste on-site for a certain length of time. The amount of time and quantity of dangerous waste you can accumulate depends on your generator category and where you store the waste. The waste must be in appropriate containers and stored correctly.

Learn more about the different types of accumulation storage areas:

Central accumulation areas (CAAs)
Satellite accumulation areas (SAAs)

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Central accumulation areas (CAAs)

A central accumulation area (CAA) is a location where dangerous wastes are stored prior to off-site shipment or on-site treatment.

CAAs may be anywhere on-site. They do not need to be "centrally located."
You may have more than one CAA (i.e., multiple CAAs).

Form with checkboxes. Click to go to Weekly Inspection Checklist, publication 12-04-019

Self-inspect weekly

You must self-inspect your CAA once a week (between Sunday and the following Saturday).

Use our weekly inspection checklist to help you stay in compliance and identify any problem areas.

Request our free poster

Download or request our free CAA poster to help employees verify that all necessary equipment and signs are there.

Spanish version: Revisa sus áreas de acumulación central

Show the accumulation start date

Every dangerous waste container in your CAA must show an accumulation start date. An accumulation start date is the date you:

First put waste into a container or tank,
OR
Reached your maximum limits in your satellite accumulation area.

Adhere to accumulation limits and timeframes

Ensure you schedule enough time for your waste service provider to pick up your waste. They must pick up your waste before you exceed one of the following (whichever comes first):

Accumulation time limit
OR
Total on-site accumulation limit.

Accumulation limits by generator category

DW = Dangerous waste; AHW = Acutely hazardous waste; EHW = Extremely hazardous waste
Generator category	Time limit	Total on-site accumulation limit
Small quantity generator (SQG)	None	2,200 pounds of DW 2.2 pounds of AHW 2.2 pounds of Toxic EHW
Medium quantity generator (MQG)	180 days	6,600 pounds of DW 2.2 pounds of AHW 2.2 pounds of Toxic EHW
Large quantity generator (LQG)	90 days	None

Other conditionally regulated dangerous wastes

Accumulation time limits may vary depending on the type of waste you generate.

Refer to the regulations for specific management requirements for these types of wastes.
Type of waste	Time limit
Episodic generation	60 days or the end of the episodic event
Universal waste	1 year
Pharmaceutical waste	1 year

Frequently asked questions: CAAs

Medium and large quantity generators can, under rare circumstances, apply for an extension before their time limit expires. If your facility might exceed the time limit and is unable to ship dangerous wastes:

Contact your region office before you exceed your time limit. Ask for a dangerous waste compliance inspector.

We issue extensions on a case-by-case basis. Please provide us with the following information:

Number and size of containers approaching the 90- or 180-day accumulation time limit.
General description of the waste.
Accumulation start date of the waste.
Specific location (accumulation area) of the waste.
Documentation of the efforts you have made to schedule waste pickup.
Explanation as to why the dangerous waste must remain on-site due to unforeseen, temporary, and uncontrollable circumstances.
Copy of the most recent weekly inspection log.
Name and phone number for the on-site emergency coordinator.

After we complete our review, we will notify you of our decision.

MQGs must stay below the maximum allowable limits to remain conditionally exempt from a storage permit. MQGs become subject to treatment, storage, disposal (TSD) facility requirements (WAC 173-303-600) when they exceed:

6,600 pounds of dangerous waste,
OR
2.2 pounds of acutely hazardous waste
OR
2.2 pounds of toxic extremely hazardous waste.

In this situation, an MQG must immediately ship waste off-site to stay below these thresholds.

Learn more about MQGs that accumulate dangerous waste and conditions for exemption
(WAC 173-303-172).

Satellite accumulation areas (SAAs)

Satellite accumulation allows medium and large quantity generators to hold a certain amount of dangerous waste at or near the point of generation for longer than 90 or 180 days. It allows these facilities to do this without the need for a dangerous waste storage permit.

Medium and large quantity generators can have:

Multiple satellite accumulation areas (SAAs) across the site.
No more than 55 gallons of dangerous waste, or one quart (2.2 pounds) of acutely hazardous waste, in an SAA at any time.

How do you manage a satellite accumulation area?

Satellite accumulation areas must be under the control of the worker or secured at all times.

Learn more about satellite accumulation:

Read our focus sheet on satellite accumulation.
Satellite accumulation regulations for medium and large quantity generators
(WAC 173-303-174).

Frequently asked questions: SAAs

Translated content

We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Need help?
Contact a dangerous waste inspector in your region.

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