SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS & REPORTING

9. Does my business generate a small amount of hazardous waste or recycle the waste to qualify for beneficial exemptions?

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator Collection Program
Household Hazardous Waste Program
Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division
Bureau of Sanitation, Department of Public Works
433 South Spring Street, Suite 500
Los Angeles, California  90013
(800) 98-TOXIC (988-6942) or
(213) 473-8277
TDD:  (213) 473-5664

Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG) Collection Program:

If your business regularly generates less than 100 kilograms (kg) of hazardous waste per month, then it may qualify as a conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) business.   The total of 100 kg is equal to approximately 27 gallons (gal) or 220 pounds (lb).  CESQG businesses may dispose of hazardous waste by bringing the waste to a City-sponsored CESQG collection event, where less expensive disposal fees are charged due to public funding.  A business must first qualify for the program and then make a drop off appointment by contacting the above-listed agency.

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City of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) 
Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety
Technical Section, Data Management Unit
200 North Main Street, Room 1780
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 978-3680
Fax:  (213) 978-3615

Recyclable Materials Exemption:

If a business recycles more than 100 kg per month of hazardous waste, then the business may subtract the amount of recycled hazardous waste from the total amount of hazardous waste generated.  This results in a smaller monthly generation rate, less associated fee payments and less report preparation.  For businesses in the City of Los Angeles, this exemption determination is made as a part of the  "Unified Program" package application, as described under the answer to Question 6.  This and other qualifying exemptions, exclusions and reuse/onsite recycling exemptions are detailed further in Section 66261.4 and 66261.6, Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations as well as in Section 25243.2-252433.10 of the California Health and Safety Code.  The exemptions and acceptable recycling methods are specific to each waste type.  Contact the above agency, or the city's partnering agency for hazardous waste management, to find out whether the materials and methods used at your business qualify for an exemption or exclusion.  The city's partnering agency is:

Los Angeles County Fire Department
Health and Hazardous Materials Division (HHMD)
5825 Rickenbacker Road
Commerce, California 90040
(323) 890-4045
http://www.lacofd.org/upforms.htm

10. Does my business generate larger quantities of hazardous waste or certain types that require special planning and reporting?

California Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
400 "P" Street, 4th Floor
Post Office Box  806
Sacramento, California  95812-0806
Attention:  Biennial Reporting Staff
(916) 322-2880
Email:   BRSSTAFF@dtsc.ca.gov

Biennial Hazardous Waste Report:

If your business generates over 1,000 kg per month (i.e., 2,204 lbs or 275 gals.) of federally regulated (RCRA) hazardous waste or over 1 kg of RCRA acutely hazardous waste per calendar month, the business is required to submit a Biennial Hazardous Waste Report to Cal-EPA.  Cal-EPA forwards associated information to the Region IX Office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The associated report form and instruction package are automatically sent to the generator, based upon the generator's hazardous waste identification number (see Question 2 for further information on obtaining a correct identification number).   Associated reports are due by March 1, on even numbered years.  Each report documents associated hazardous waste activities for the previous odd numbered year.   Records must be maintained at the place of business for three years. 

            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
            National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report
            (415) 222-8371
            (800) 424-9346

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California Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
Office of Pollution Prevention and Technology Development
400 "P" Street, 4th Floor
Post Office Box  806
Sacramento, California  95812-0806
Attn.: Source Reduction Unit
(916) 322-3670
Email:  Spr@dtsc.ca.gov

Source Reduction Plans and Reports:

Under enacted Senate Bill 14 (SB14), source reduction requirements apply if your business generates more than 12,000 kg of hazardous waste per calendar year (i.e., approximately 26,455 lbs or 13 tons) or generates more than 12 kg/yr. (approximately 26.4 lbs) of extremely hazardous waste,   A  qualifying generator must prepare three documents as follows:  a "Source Reduction Evaluation Review and Plan," "Hazardous Waste Management Performance Report," and a "Summary Progress Report."  Special, less stringent, reporting requirements apply to small businesses.  For further information and reporting frequencies, contact the DTSC Source Reduction Unit, as listed above.
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California Environmental Protection Agency 
Los Angeles Region
320 West 4th Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, California 90013
(213) 576-6000
Fax:  (213) 675-6640

          Los Angeles Region Water Quality Control Board 
            320 West 4th Street, Suite 200
            Los Angeles, California 90013
            (213) 576-6000
            Fax:  (213) 675-6640

City of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) 
Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety
Underground Storage Tank Unit
200 North Main Street, Room 1700
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 978-3700
Fax:  (213) 978-3616

            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
            SPCC Program Contacts
            Oil Team/ SPCC Coordinator
            U.S. EPA - Region IX (SFD1-4)
            75 Hawthorne Street
            San Francisco, California 94105
            (415) 972-3075

Spill Prevention and Countermeasures Control Plan (SPCC):

A Spill Prevention and Countermeasure Control Plan must be prepared and submitted to the above agency if your business has more than 1,320 gallons of petroleum in aboveground storage tanks or containers, including 55-gallon drums.  The SPCC Plan must be maintained at the facility and must be approved by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality  Control Board.  This is one of the six requirements reviewed when applying for the Unified Facility Program Permit, as described in Question 6.

City of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) 
Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety
California Accidental Release Program Unit
200 North Main Street, Room 1780
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 978-3686
Fax:  (213) 978-3615

            Governor's Office of Emergency Services 
            California Accidental Release Program
            Hazardous Materials Unit
            (916) 845-8741

California Accidental Release Prevention Program (Cal-ARP) Report/Plan:

If your business generates more than threshold amounts and/or certain substances, preparation of a Cal-ARP Report/Plan is necessary.  For a listing of threshold amounts and regulated substances, please refer to Unified Facility Program Permit application package, as described in Question 6.  Further information can be obtained from the local CUPA (City Fire Dept.), as listed above.

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 9 TRI Program
Cross Media Division
75 Hawthorne Street (CMD-4-2)
San Francisco, California  94105
        Estrella Armijo (415) 972-3859
        Robert Lucas (415) 974-4176
        Pat Maravilla (415) 947-4177
        Nancy Sockabasin (415) 972-3772
        EPCRA Hotline:  (800) 424-9346 or (703) 412-9810
    
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Reports:

If your business makes more than 25,000 lbs per year or uses more than 10,000 lbs per year of listed TRI chemicals, has 10 or more full-time employees, and is in a certain industry group, TRI reporting requirements apply.  Contact the regional office of the U.S. EPA for further information.

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This page was last updated on January 20, 2005.