Episodic generation of dangerous waste

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Unplanned events require immediate action!

Email or fax us within 72 hours of an unplanned event. You must also report a spill if the unplanned event involves dangerous waste or hazardous substances, no matter the size or amount.

The episodic generation rules allow small and medium quantity generators to maintain their current generator category, even when larger-than-normal waste amounts are generated from qualifying episodic events. Using this rule is optional.

To take advantage of this rule, you must:

Notify your regional Ecology contact within specific timeframes based on the type of episodic event (planned or unplanned).
Fill out a Site ID form.
Fill out an Episodic Addendum form.

Report a spill

You must also report a spill if:

Any unplanned event involves spills of dangerous waste or hazardous substances.
A spill poses a threat to human health or the environment, regardless of size.

I want to...

What’s an episodic event?

Episodic event is an activity, either planned or unplanned, that:

Does not normally occur during generator operations.
Results in an increase of dangerous waste that exceeds your generator category's monthly Quantity Exclusion Limit (QEL).

Planned vs. unplanned

Planned event is an episodic event you planned and prepared for, such as tank cleanouts, short-term projects, or removal of excess chemical inventory.

Unplanned event is an unexpected episodic event or one you did not plan for, such as a production process upset, product recall, accidental spill, or "act of nature," such as a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, flood, or wildfire.

You can manage waste from one planned or unplanned episodic event per calendar year under this rule provided you notify us correctly. Follow the instructions below.

How and when do you notify Ecology of an episodic event?

Graphic outlining the requirements for unplanned and planned episodic events. Click to contact your region. — Notification deadlines and requirements for episodic events

If you’d like to manage your dangerous waste under the episodic generation rules, you must:

Get an EPA/State Identification Number (if you don’t already have one).
Notify us in time:
- Unplanned events: Within 72 hours of event
- Planned events: 30 days before event occurs (60 days are recommended)
Submit the required forms.

Planned episodic events

Step 1: Plan ahead:

We must receive your request (Step 2) at least 30 days before your planned event, but 60 days is recommended to ensure the entire review process can be completed in time.

If we receive your form less than 30 days before the proposed start date, we will change your start date to meet the minimum 30-calendar day requirement. We will inform you of the revised event start date.

Step 2: Submit the required forms

Submit the following forms by mail, postmarked at least 30 days before your event:

Fill out and print the Episodic Addendum form.
Include your completed pre-printed Site ID form (available through TurboWaste).
Mail to this address:
HWTR Annual Reporting Team
P.O. Box 47658
Olympia, WA 98504

Step 3: Wait for confirmation

Wait for confirmation that your forms have been received and accepted as complete. We will contact you once your planned event paperwork has been accepted.

DO NOT proceed with a planned episodic event until you receive confirmation.

Unplanned episodic events

Step 1: Notify us within 72 hours

Email or fax your regional Ecology contact within 72 hours of your event.

Step 2: Submit required forms

Submit the following forms by mail, postmarked within 30 days of your event notification:

Fill out and print the Episodic Addendum form.
Include your completed pre-printed Site ID form (available through TurboWaste).
Mail to this address:
HWTR Annual Reporting Team
P.O. Box 47658
Olympia, WA 98504

Step 3: We will respond to you

Our Annual Reporting Team will email you to confirm all forms have been received and if there is anything further we need.

How should waste from an episodic event be handled?

On-site management requirements

Accumulate episodic waste in tanks and containers, which are:

In good condition.
Compatible with the waste.
Kept closed (except when adding or removing waste).
Clearly marked or labeled.

Labeling

Clearly label or mark your tanks and containers with the:

Words “Episodic Dangerous Waste” or “Episodic Hazardous Waste.”
Hazards associated with the waste (ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and/or toxic).
Episodic event start date.

Except for the start date, labels must meet the dangerous waste requirements:

Be legible from 25 feet away,
OR
Lettering size must be at least 0.5 inches high.

For containers one gallon (or four liters) and under, labels, markings, and lettering can be appropriate for the size of the container.

Off-site disposal

Send episodic waste to a treatment, storage, and disposal facility within 60 calendar days from the start date of the event.

On-site treatment

Medium quantity generators (MQGs) may treat episodic waste within 60 calendar days from the start date of the event. Small quantity generators (SQGs) may not treat episodic waste on-site.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but only if you are accumulating episodic dangerous waste in tanks. Tanks must be inspected at least once each operating day to ensure all discharge control equipment is in good working order. This includes checking:

Waste feed cutoff systems
Bypass systems
Drainage systems

Daily tank inspections must also ensure the tank is operated according to its design by reviewing the data gathered from monitoring equipment such as pressure and temperature gauges from the inspection.

Consider using the Medium Quantity Generator Tank Inspection Log to document your inspections.

Contact information

For unplanned events, email or fax your region within 72 hours.

What is your region?
Find out what regional office serves your county.

Southwest region
Stephanie Heiges
stephanie.heiges@ecy.wa.gov
Ph: 360-522-0532
Fax: 360-407-6989

Northwest region
Susan Dier
susan.dier@ecy.wa.gov
Ph: 425-466-5572
Fax: 206-366-7810

Eastern region
Alex Bergh
alexandra.bergh@ecy.wa.gov
Ph: 509-385-5539
Fax: 509-329-3572

Central region
Katherine Gauthier
katherine.gauthier@ecy.wa.gov
Ph: 509-406-6851
Fax: 509-575-2809

Mail forms to:
HWTR Annual Reporting Team
P.O. Box 47658
Olympia, WA 98504