Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations identify the wastes that are regulated as hazardous in the state, and establish management standards for businesses that produce or generate, transport, treat, store or dispose of them. Hazardous waste generators are regulated at three different levels depending on the types and quantity of waste produced. The levels, from lowest to highest, are conditionally exempt generator, small quantity generator, and large quantity generator.

For more information, see the current Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (VHWMR)

Small and large quantity generators are subject to more stringent waste management standards, additional requirements for record keeping, employee training and contingency planning. They are also required to ship hazardous waste to certified treatment, storage, recycling or disposal facilities using a hazardous waste manifest-shipping document.

A conditionally exempt generator (CEG) is a hazardous waste generator that, due to the limited amount of hazardous waste generated and subsequently retained on site, is exempted from some of the regulatory requirements. CEGs are also able to access CVSWMD hazardous waste collections. This can be an important cost-cutting strategy, so it is important to determine your generator status accurately. For more information see: A Guide to Hazardous Waste Management: Conditionally Exempt Generator's Handbook

How to Determine Your Generator Status

Generator status is based on the quantity of hazardous waste you generate each month and the quantity that is accumulated on site. The Vermont Hazardous Waste Management Regulations and the Conditionally Exempt Generators' Handbook can provide you with the necessary information for determining your generator status.

In brief:

• A Conditionally Exempt Generator (CEG) generates less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste per month and never accumulates more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste in a calendar month.
• A Small Quantity Generator (SQG) generates greater than or equal to 220 pounds, but less than 2,200 pounds in a calendar month and never accumulates more than 13,200 pounds of hazardous waste at any one time.
• A Large Quantity Generator (LQG) generates greater than 2,200 pounds or more of hazardous waste in a calendar month or accumulates more than 13,200 pounds of hazardous waste at any one time.

For reference, 220 pounds is about 1/2 of a 55 gallon drum of water; 2,200 pounds is approximately 5 full 55 gallon drums of water.

For Help in Determining Your Generator Status

Municipalities and Schools:
Please contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Municipal Compliance Assistance Program at 800-974-9559 or 802-241-3471. This free program is open to all Vermont schools and municipalities.

Businesses:
Please contact the Department of Environmental Conservation Small Business Compliance Assistance Program at 800-974-9559 or 802-241-3745. This program is free, confidential, and non-regulatory.