Hazardous Waste Removal & Disposal
Hazardous Waste Removal Done Right
From RCRA-regulated industrial solvents to non-RCRA materials like expired hand sanitizer — we manage removal, transportation, manifesting, and compliant disposal so you stay on the right side of the law.
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Hazardous waste carries real legal consequences if it’s handled wrong. As the waste generator, you remain liable for your waste from the moment it’s created until it’s confirmed disposed of at a licensed facility. That’s the “cradle to grave” responsibility established under RCRA — and it doesn’t end when the truck pulls away.
EES handles the full chain: proper waste identification and classification, licensed transport, EPA-compliant manifesting, and disposal at permitted Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facilities (TSDFs). You get the documentation to prove it was done right.
Regulatory Framework
What Makes a Waste Hazardous?
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a material is classified as hazardous waste if it appears on one of the EPA’s listed waste categories — or if it exhibits one of four hazardous characteristics:
Ignitability — flammable liquids, solids, or compressed gases
Corrosivity — strongly acidic or caustic materials (pH ≤ 2 or ≥ 12.5)
Reactivity — unstable materials that can explode or release toxic gases
Toxicity — materials that leach harmful concentrations of heavy metals or organic compounds
Non-RCRA regulated waste falls outside the federal definition but may still be regulated at the state level — expired pharmaceuticals, certain disinfectants, and some aerosol products are common examples. These materials still require proper handling and documentation, just under a different compliance framework.
Not sure where your material falls? Call us. Misclassifying hazardous waste as non-hazardous is one of the most common — and costly — compliance mistakes generators make.
Waste Streams
Hazardous Waste Streams We Remove and Dispose Of
Industrial & Manufacturing
- Spent solvents and solvent blends (F-listed waste)
- Paint booth waste and coating residues
- Parts washer fluids
- Metal finishing and electroplating waste
- Heavy metal-contaminated rinse waters
- Contaminated oils and fuel mixtures
Commercial & Institutional
- Expired hand sanitizer and disinfectants
- Laboratory chemicals and reagents
- Pharmaceutical waste
- Fluorescent lamps and mercury-containing equipment
- Cleaning product concentrates
Other Materials
- Off-specification or out-of-date chemicals
- Mixed waste streams requiring characterization
Don’t see your material listed? Reach out — we work with a wide range of waste streams and will tell you straight if it’s something we can take.
Know Your Status
Your Generator Tier Determines Your Compliance Obligations
The EPA classifies hazardous waste generators into three categories based on how much hazardous waste your facility produces per calendar month. Your tier determines storage time limits, disposal frequency, training requirements, and recordkeeping obligations.
VSQG
Very Small Quantity Generator
Generates 100 kg or less per month — roughly half a 55-gallon drum. Fewest regulatory requirements, but waste must still go to a permitted disposal facility. VSQGs are often overlooked by larger haulers. We service them.
SQG
Small Quantity Generator
Generates between 100 kg and 1,000 kg per month. Waste must be disposed of within 270 days of generation. Requires basic emergency planning and personnel training.
LQG
Large Quantity Generator
Generates more than 1,000 kg per month. Most stringent requirements: 90-day on-site storage limit, biennial EPA reporting, full written contingency plan, and regular employee training.
EES works with all three generator categories. If you’re not sure which tier applies to your facility, we can help you figure that out on the first call.
Never Arranged a Hazardous Waste Pickup Before?
The process is more straightforward than most people expect — from your first call through the signed manifests in your hand. We walk you through every step.
See how the hauling process works →
Common Questions
Questions We Hear All the Time
What is cradle-to-grave liability?
Under RCRA, hazardous waste generators are legally responsible for their waste from the point of generation through confirmed final disposal — even after it leaves your facility. If your hauler mishandles your waste, you can still face fines and penalties. Choosing a licensed hauler and retaining your disposal documentation is your primary protection.
Do I need to know my EPA waste code before I call?
No. Many generators don’t know their specific waste codes, particularly for mixed or unfamiliar materials. Tell us what process generated the waste and what the material is — we can help work through the applicable codes and classification.
What is a TSDF?
A Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facility (TSDF) is a facility licensed and permitted by the EPA to receive, treat, store, and dispose of hazardous waste. EES delivers waste only to permitted TSDFs. We do not broker waste to unlicensed or unverified facilities.
What documentation will I receive after pickup?
You receive a signed copy of the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest — the legal chain-of-custody document required by the EPA for all hazardous waste shipments. Federal law requires generators to retain these records for a minimum of three years.
What’s the difference between RCRA and non-RCRA regulated waste?
RCRA hazardous waste is regulated under federal law and requires manifesting, licensed transport, and disposal at a permitted TSDF. Non-RCRA regulated waste doesn’t meet the federal threshold but may still be regulated by your state. Both require proper handling — EES manages both.
Do you work with Very Small Quantity Generators?
Yes. VSQGs often have difficulty finding haulers willing to service small or infrequent loads. We work with businesses of all sizes, including those who may only have a few containers of hazardous waste per year.
What if my containers are damaged or leaking?
Call us before attempting to move them. We can arrive prepared with overpacks and appropriate PPE. Do not attempt to transfer leaking hazardous waste into new containers without proper training and equipment.
