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 tanks, and stored correctly.
Learn more about the different types of accumulation storage areas:
- Central accumulation areas (CAAs).
- Satellite accumulation areas (SAAs).
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).
Self-inspect weekly
You must self-inspect your CAA once a week (between Sunday and the following Saturday).
Accumulation start date
An accumulation start date is the date you:
Every dangerous waste container in your CAA must show an accumulation start date, unless you are a small quantity generator (SQG).
Accumulation limits
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.
DW = Dangerous waste; AHW = Acutely hazardous waste; EHW = Extremely hazardous waste
| Generator category |
Time limit |
Total 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. For instance:
Refer to the regulations for specific management requirements for these types of wastes.
What happens if you exceed your accumulation time limit?
If you have wastes on-site for longer than your accumulation time limit:
What happens if you exceed your total on-site accumulation limit?
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.
Store dangerous waste in a container that:
- Is compatible with the waste.
- Remains closed, except when adding waste or temporarily venting.
- Is in good condition.
Once you have any of the following, add the accumulation start date to your container(s) immediately:
- 55 gallons of dangerous waste
- 1 quart of liquid acutely hazardous waste (AHW)
- 2.2 lb. of solid AHW
What qualifies as AHW?
- These wastes have a 2.2-pound quantity exclusion limit.
- They include these waste codes: All P codes, F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, F027.
You must move the dated container(s) within 3 days to a:
- Central accumulation area (CAA),
OR
- Ship it to a permitted off-site facility.
NOTE: You cannot move waste from one SAA to another SAA.
Yes. Medium and large quantity generators (MQGs and LQGs) may request extensions of dangerous waste storage time limits in very limited circumstances due to unforeseen, temporary, and uncontrollable circumstances.
Learn more about:
How to request an extension
If your facility is unable to ship dangerous wastes within the required timeframe:
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.
No. You cannot move waste from one SAA to another. This is prohibited.