---

**Notice:** FREE Hazardous Waste Industry Session

In partnership with NES, CalCUPA is offering a free hazardous waste training session for industry partners during the CUPA 2026 Annual Conference. 

When: 1-5pm on Thursday, March 26, 2026

Where: Town & Country, San Diego County (500 Hotel Cir North, San Diego, CA 92108)

To learn more and to register, visit the CalCUPA webpage. 

Click here to view the CalCUPA event flyer.

What is Hazardous Waste? 

Hazardous waste is a hazardous material that is no longer in use, as defined by the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4.5, Chapter 11. 

The purpose of the Hazardous Waste program in the ESFD CUPA is to protect the public health and the environment from the release of hazardous wastes by regulating industries that generate hazardous waste.

For more information on hazardous waste, please visit DTSC's webpage on Managing Hazardous Waste.

Tiered Permitting is also known as Onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment. Hazardous Waste Treatment is any method, technique or process that changes the physical, chemical or biological character or composition of a hazardous waste.
Depending on the treatment process and type and amount of hazardous waste treated, the treatment activity may be allowed under one of three treatment tiers:

• Permit By Rule
• Conditionally Authorized
• Conditionally Exempt (separated into three subcategories). 

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) is any product labeled: toxic, poison, corrosive, flammable, combustible or irritant. The health and safety of our community is endangered when these products are discarded in household garbage, sinks or storm drains. The amount of products from a single home may seem insignificant. However, when millions of homes across Los Angeles County use similar products, the combined effect becomes a major problem.

For more on Household Hazardous Waste, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. 

Do I need a Hazardous Waste permit?

Your business/facility needs a Hazardous Waste permit if any of the following apply:

• Your business routinely generates any amount of hazardous waste
• Your business is a large quantity universal waste handler (handling 5,000 kg or more of universal waste at one time)
• You treat hazardous waste under any of the three tiered permitting subcategories (Permit By Rule, Conditionally Authorized, Conditionally Exempt)

You may need to provide documentation including:

• An EPA ID number if you generate any amount of hazardous waste and for large quantity universal waste handler's (handling 5,000 kg or more of universal waste at one time).
• A personnel training program (required of all hazardous waste generators) to ensure that employees are able to respond effectively to emergencies. All employees working with and around hazardous waste should be trained in emergency procedures, emergency equipment, and emergency systems.
• A Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest form for Hazardous waste transported for disposal or treatment.
• Implementation of Contingency Plan.

You may also qualify for other program(s) depending on the amounts and conditions of hazardous materials at your facility. 

How do I get a Hazardous Waste permit? 

To obtain a CalARP permit, you will first submit your information in CERS. Our inspectors will review your submittal, and then we will invoice you for the appropriate permit fees. All program permits (APSA, HMBP, etc.) are consolidated into one CUPA permit. See our Billing & Permitting page for more details.

Where is the Hazardous Waste program in the regulations?

• California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 6.5
• California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4.5
• City of El Segundo Municipal Code, Title 5, Chapter 5