Generator category

Businesses that generate dangerous waste must determine their generator category each month. Generator categories include:

Small quantity generators (SQGs).
Medium quantity generators (MQGs).
Large quantity generators (LQGs).

The amount and type of dangerous waste you produce in a calendar month determines which regulations apply. Your generator category may change from month to month.

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How to determine your generator category

Step 1: Designate your waste.
This process helps you figure out what type of waste you have, including waste codes.

Step 2: Count your waste.
Total the amounts of the following:

Dangerous waste

*Toxic EHW and AHW

Spilled barrel icon. Click to learn more about Washington state-only criteria.

**Spills

*EHW = extremely hazardous waste (code WT01); AHW = acutely hazardous wastes that are toxic in small amounts (all P-listed and some F-listed waste codes: F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, F027).
**Spills include residue, contaminated materials from cleanup of highly toxic EHW or AHW waste spilled to land or water.

Step 3: Compare quantity exclusion limits (QELs) against your count to determine your monthly generator category. Use the QEL chart below to make this determination.

Quantity exclusion limits (QELs)

A QEL is a monthly weight limit that determines your generator category based on the amount and type(s) of dangerous waste you generated that month.

QEL chart to determine your generator category

Use this chart to determine your monthly generator category. If your waste counts fall into more than one generator category, apply the more stringent generator category to your business. For instance, if you generated 200 pounds of dangerous waste, but 2.3 pounds of AHW, then you are an LQG.

QEL chart to determine your monthly generator category. — Read a plain text version of the monthly generation limits.

Frequently asked questions

No. The federal and state regulations use different terms to identify generator categories. Keep this in mind when reading through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) guidance and rules.

State	Federal
SQG	VSQG
MQG	SQG
LQG	LQG

If your generator category goes down, you remain in the higher generator category until all of the dangerous waste that was on-site at the time you became fully regulated has been properly treated or disposed. Only then can you operate under the rules for the smaller generator category. This includes dangerous wastes in satellite accumulation areas (SAAs).

If your generator category goes up, begin to follow the rules for your new generator category (medium or large quantity generator) immediately. Remember to meet all recordkeeping requirements.

If you have questions about your generator category, call your regional Ecology office and ask a hazardous waste compliance specialist for help. If you want to learn about reducing waste streams and possibly lowering your generator category, request a technical assistance visit.

If you are an SQG or MQG and you generate more dangerous waste than normal because of a special project or unusual event, you may be able to follow the rules for episodic generation:

Episodic waste does not affect your generator category.
Rules for episodic generation applies only to the waste generated from the episodic event.
Not all events qualify as episodic generation.

If you did not generate any dangerous waste one month, you still need to designate any new wastes the next month to determine your generator category.

A facility qualifies as an XQG (no dangerous wastes generated) on the Dangerous Waste Annual Report only when they do not generate dangerous waste in a calendar year. All facilities are required to submit an annual report if they:

Have an active EPA/State Identification Number
OR
Generate special waste
OR
Are a dangerous waste transporter (i.e., they are allowed to transport waste they did not generate).

Contact information

Need help?
Contact a dangerous waste inspector in your region