The law says that a small quantity generator is one that generates less than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste in a calendar month. RCRA Title 40 Code of the Federal Register (CFR), Part 261 contains lists specifying wastes that are regulated and characteristics for identifying non-listed hazardous wastes.
Unlisted hazardous wastes may be identified as such if they exhibit any of the four characteristics below.
The waste material (solid, gas, or liquid) must have a flash point of less than 140°F and/or be an aqueous solution with an alcohol content of greater than or equal to 24%. Examples are solvents, paint thinners, and oxidizers.
The waste material must be a liquid and have a pH of less than 2.0 or greater than 12.5. Examples are acids and caustics.
The waste material is reactive to water, shock, heat, and pressure, and undergoes a rapid violent chemical reaction. Examples are perchlorates, peroxides, and cyanides.
This category includes eight heavy metals and thirty-one organic chemicals including ten pesticides. Waste in this category need only contain very small amounts of arsenic, lead, mercury, or one of the other heavy metals, or organics such as benzene, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, vinyl chloride, methyl ethyl keytone, or one of the ten pesticides.
Small quantity generator groups fall into two categories:
Generates no more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds or about half a 55-gallon drum) in any one month, or less than one kilogram of an acute hazardous waste (e.g., arsenic and cyanide compounds), and never accumulates more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste at any time.
Generates more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) but less than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) in any one month, approximately one-half to five drums.
Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) must: