Rules for Hazardous Waste: Massachusetts Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQG)

You must register with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

• Never accumulate more than 2,200 lbs. (approx. 270 gallons or five 55-gallon drums) of hazardous waste at any one time.

• Store your hazardous waste on an impervious surface in a separate secured area identified as “HAZARDOUS WASTE” (if outdoors, liquid waste must have secondary containment.)

• Label your hazardous waste containers “HAZARDOUS WASTE” with the name of the waste and the hazard associated with it, e.g. corrosive, toxic, ignitable, etc.

• Obtain a receipt for your waste, or retain a copy of the manifest in your files.

• Retain records of the type and quantity, date and method of treatment or disposal of your waste.

• The complete regulatory requirements for VSQG are found in the Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Regulations section 310 CMR 30.353. The complete regulatory requirements for Small Quantity Generator (SQG) of Waste Oil are referenced in section 310 CMR 30.253 (5) b. Copies of these regulations are available at Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Web site or from the State House Book Store.

Rules for Self Transporting Waste for Massachusetts Very Small Quantity Generators

If you are a Very Small Quantity Generator of hazardous waste or waste oil, you may self-transport your waste according to the following rules:

• Transport only your own waste.

• Do not transport acutely hazardous waste.

• Transport no more than 55 gallons per trip.

• Label your containers properly – “Hazardous Waste, Type of waste, Type of hazard.”

• Seal containers tightly and secure to vehicle.

• Keep a copy of your VSQG registration in your vehicle.

• Obtain a receipt for your waste.

• Keep your receipts for three years.

Generator Registration Form

The form is used to register with the DEP if a generator of waste is a “very small quantity generator” of hazardous waste (less than 220 pounds or 27 gallons/month); or a “very small quantity generator” of waste oil (less than 220 pounds or 27 gallons/month); or is a “small quantity generator” of waste oil (220 to 2,200 pounds or 27 to 270 gallons/month).

Generator Registration Form can be found at
Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Web site

Department of Environmental Protection Boston
One Winter Street Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: (617) 292-5500
Fax: (617) 556-1049

Selected FAQs:

1) What is the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection?

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a state agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment by ensuring clean air and water, the safe management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. DEP is one of five agencies under the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. DEP’s role under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution is the guarantor of the people’s right to “clean air and water,” as well as “the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic qualities of the environment.”

2) What is the difference between DEP and EPA?

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) administers state laws and regulations aimed at preventing pollution, protecting natural resources, promoting safe disposal and recycling of wastes, and ensuring timely cleanup of contamination. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers similar federal laws and regulations, but delegates much of its enforcement authority to DEP.

3) If I see an oil or chemical spill, what should I do?

Report it to DEP Emergency Response at: (888) 304-1133. This line operates 24 hours a day.

4) Who should I call if I witness illegal dumping or some other activity that is harmful to the environment or to public health?

Call the Massachusetts Environmental Strike Force at (617) 556-1000 or (888) 846-4283 (888-VIOLATE). The Strike Force (a unit staffed by DEP, other environmental agencies and the Office of the Attorney General) conducts investigations, carefully builds cases against alleged environmental violations, and takes them to court. Since 1990, a number of individuals prosecuted by the Strike Force have been sentenced to prison.

5) How can I obtain copies of DEP regulations?

Many, but not all, may be viewed and downloaded from DEP Web site accessible from DEP’s Publications Page. If you absolutely must have current attested copies of DEP regulations, however, they may be purchased only from the Massachusetts State Bookstore, with branches at the State House in Boston (617) 727-2834 and State House West in Springfield (413) 784-1376.

6) How do I apply for a DEP permit?

Permit application kits may be viewed and downloaded from DEP Web site or obtained from either the nearest DEP Regional Service Center or DEP InfoLine: (617) 338-2255 from the Boston area or outside of Massachusetts or (800) 462-0444 from area codes 413 and 508.

7) My company is moving. What happens with the DEP permits I currently hold?

It depends. Some DEP permits are site-specific and expire when operations are relocated. Other permits are activity-specific and may be transferred to the new location. Contact the nearest DEP Regional Service Center for additional information.

8) How do I obtain a temporary DEP generator identification number so that I may arrange for transport of hazardous waste?

Only small and large quantity generators (SQGs and LQGs) of hazardous waste and LQGs of waste oil may use temporary generator identification numbers until DEP issues them permanent numbers. Very small quantity generators (VSQGs) and SQGs of waste oil must register their hazardous waste activities with DEP as soon as they know they need to ship hazardous waste to an off-site facility. This registration requires SQGs of waste oil and VSQGs of all types of hazardous waste to assign themselves a permanent identification number; they are never allowed to use temporary numbers. For instructions on self-assignment and use of temporary numbers, please see “Self-Assigning a Hazardous Waste Generator Identification Number.”

9) How frequently are forms updated?

Unknown

10) Is there a cost involved and how do you find out how much?

There is no cost.

11) How long should you expect to wait before getting a response?

DEP will not send a confirmation of your registration. Keep a copy of your registration form – this will be your receipt of registration.

These regulations contain state requirements for the generation, storage, collection, transport, treatment, disposal, use, reuse, and recycling of hazardous waste in Massachusetts. These regulations were last amended on February 27, 2004. They are offered here as a convenience to our users, but are not an “official version.” If you MUST have an “official version,” please purchase the document through the State Bookstore.