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.

When do I need to submit a Biennial Report (BR)?

Federal regulations require large quantity generators to submit a report every two years regarding the nature, quantities and disposition of hazardous waste generated at their facility. EPA refers to this as the National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report or Biennial Report. (Source: epa.gov)

Reporting Period: The Biennial Report form (EPA form 8700-13A/B) must be submitted to the authorized state agency or EPA regional office by March 1 of every even-numbered year (for example, a report due by March 1, 2026, would report activities from calendar year 2025). (Source: epa.gov)

Qualifying Conditions: Sites are required to file their BR if in any one month during the reporting period, they met any of the following conditions: (Source: DTSC)

• Generated more than 2,200 pounds of RCRA non-acute hazardous waste OR
• Generated or accumulated more than 2.2 pounds of RCRA acute hazardous waste OR
• Generated or accumulated greater than 220 pounds of spill cleanup materials contaminated with RCRA acute hazardous waste OR
• Treated, stored, or disposed of RCRA hazardous waste on-site.

For more information, visit the respective State and Federal webpages:

• Biennial Report Information (CA Dept of Toxic Substances Control)
• Biennial Hazardous Waste Report (US EPA)

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