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Hazardous Waste Generators SQG

23 minutesENEnvironmental ComplianceEPA RCRA (40 CFR Part 262); 40 CFR 262.16 (SQG requirements)
Quick Answer

Hazardous Waste Generators SQG is a 23-minute online course that covers the EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements for small quantity generators (SQGs) of hazardous waste as specified in 40 CFR 262.16. It is designed for employees who identify, handle, label, store, or ship hazardous waste at SQG facilities, and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

The EPA's RCRA regulations under 40 CFR Part 262 establish a cradle-to-grave management system for hazardous waste that imposes specific obligations on generators based on the quantity they produce. Small quantity generators (SQGs) - facilities that generate between 100 and 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month - must comply with requirements for waste identification, container management, labeling, accumulation time limits, manifest preparation, and emergency procedures. Failure to comply with RCRA hazardous waste regulations can result in civil penalties of up to $93,058 per day of violation as of 2025, with criminal penalties reaching $50,000 per day and imprisonment for knowing violations. Training deficiencies are among the most common violations cited during EPA inspections.

This course trains your employees on the specific RCRA requirements that apply to small quantity generator operations. Your team will learn how to properly identify hazardous waste, manage containers and storage areas, apply correct labeling and marking, and prepare shipments for off-site transport. The training also covers satellite accumulation rules, the 180-day accumulation limit for SQGs, and the emergency preparedness and response procedures your facility must have in place to protect workers and the environment.

What You'll Learn

  • RCRA generator categories and the specific thresholds that classify a facility as a small quantity generator
  • Hazardous waste identification procedures including characteristic and listed waste determinations under 40 CFR 261
  • Container management requirements including proper labeling, marking, and closure for SQG accumulation areas
  • The 180-day on-site accumulation limit for SQGs and satellite accumulation area rules
  • Manifest preparation and off-site shipping requirements for hazardous waste transport
  • Emergency preparedness and response procedures required under 40 CFR 262.16(b)(9)
  • Recordkeeping and reporting obligations for SQG facilities

Who Needs This Training

  • Employees who generate, handle, label, store, or transport hazardous waste at small quantity generator facilities
  • Environmental health and safety managers overseeing RCRA compliance at SQG operations
  • Facility managers responsible for maintaining hazardous waste accumulation areas and ensuring proper container management
  • Shipping and receiving personnel who prepare hazardous waste for off-site transport and complete manifests
  • New hires at SQG facilities who must become thoroughly familiar with waste handling and emergency procedures
  • Maintenance staff who encounter hazardous waste during routine operations and need to follow proper protocols

Regulatory Background

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) establishes the federal framework for hazardous waste management, with generator requirements codified in 40 CFR Part 262. Small quantity generators (SQGs) are facilities that generate between 100 and 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per calendar month, or up to 1 kilogram of acutely hazardous waste. SQG requirements are found primarily in 40 CFR 262.16, which permits on-site accumulation for up to 180 days (or 270 days if waste must be transported more than 200 miles) without a storage permit, provided all conditions for exemption are met. The EPA requires SQG personnel to be thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency response procedures relevant to their job duties. As of January 2025, RCRA civil penalties can reach $93,058 per day of violation. Criminal penalties for knowing violations include fines of up to $50,000 per day and up to five years imprisonment. Failure to provide required training is one of the most frequently cited violations during EPA inspections, and generators should also check with their state regulatory agency, as many states impose additional requirements beyond the federal baseline.

Frequently Asked Questions

A small quantity generator (SQG) generates between 100 and 1,000 kilograms (approximately 220 to 2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste per calendar month, or up to 1 kilogram of acutely hazardous waste per month. Facilities generating less than 100 kg/month are very small quantity generators (VSQGs), and those generating 1,000 kg or more are large quantity generators (LQGs), each with different regulatory requirements.
SQGs may accumulate hazardous waste on site for up to 180 days without a storage permit, provided they meet all conditions in 40 CFR 262.16. If the waste must be transported more than 200 miles for treatment, storage, or disposal, the accumulation period extends to 270 days. The total quantity accumulated on site at any time cannot exceed 6,000 kilograms. Satellite accumulation areas at the point of generation are limited to 55 gallons of hazardous waste or 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste.
As of 2025, civil penalties for RCRA violations can reach $93,058 per day of violation. Criminal penalties for knowing violations include fines up to $50,000 per day and imprisonment of up to five years. Knowing endangerment - putting another person at risk of death or serious bodily injury through improper hazardous waste management - carries penalties of up to $250,000 for individuals (or $1,000,000 for organizations) and up to 15 years imprisonment.
Yes. Under 40 CFR 262.16(b)(9)(iii), SQGs must ensure that all employees who handle hazardous waste are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and emergency response procedures relevant to their duties. While RCRA does not prescribe a specific training format or duration for SQGs (unlike the more detailed requirements for LQGs), the training must be sufficient to ensure compliance. Annual refresher training is a recommended best practice.
Yes. The EPA encourages states to adopt and enforce their own hazardous waste programs, and many states have requirements that are more stringent than federal RCRA rules. Some states do not recognize the SQG category and require all generators to meet LQG standards. Others have additional training, reporting, or permitting requirements. Employers must comply with both federal and applicable state regulations, and should verify their state's specific requirements with the state environmental agency.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person