Hazardous Waste Management

On Feb. 12, 1985, Florida received authorization from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer its own hazardous waste management and regulatory program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976. Florida received final authorization on Nov. 17, 2000, to implement the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA).

The most important feature of authorization is the state's agreement to issue permits that conform to the regulatory requirements of the law, to inspect and monitor activities subject to regulation, to take appropriate enforcement action against violators, and to do so in a manner no less stringent than the federal program.

Hazardous Waste Management is responsible for implementing the hazardous waste regulatory portion of RCRA. It reviews and issues permits and coordinates compliance monitoring and enforcement activities at hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment, storage and disposal (TSD) facilities with the regulatory DEP district offices.

The Florida Department of Health has primary authority and responsibility for facilities that generate, transport, store, or treat biomedical waste through processes other than incineration and can be contacted via email or telephone [850-245-4277]. 

Hazardous Waste Management Is Composed of Three Elements

1. Permitting and Corrective Action
   In the state of Florida, anyone in the process of treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste must have a permit.

2. Program Development
   New rules adopted by DEP and current hazardous waste rules and forms.

3. Compliance and Enforcement
   Covers all generators and transporters of hazardous waste in Florida, including:

• Hazardous Waste Transporters
• Regulated Waste Activities
• Used Oil
• Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste
• Universal Wastes (batteries, mercury, pesticides, aerosols)
• Inspections and Enforcement
• Household Hazardous Waste
• RCRA Biennial Hazardous Waste Reporting Systems

News and Events

• EPA signs the Third Rule of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
  On June 28, 2024, EPA signed the Third Rule amendment of RCRA, updating certain aspects of the hazardous waste manifest regulations under RCRA, specifically about the e-Manifest system. All hazardous waste shipments must be recorded on a manifest that accompanies the shipment, previously either a paper copy or via an electronic manifest or e-Manifest. A significant change within the Third Rule is that ALL Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) and Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) are now required to register for access to e-Manifest to obtain their final signed manifest copies from the system. Transporters and Treatment, Storage, or Disposal (TSDs) facilities will no longer be required to provide paper, hard-copy final manifests to generators. 

• SQG Re-Notification (DUE DATE - September 1, 2025)
  In accordance with the 2018 adoption of the EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvement Rule, ALL existing Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) were required to re-notify the Department using Notification Form 8700-12-FL by September 1, 2021. This notification requirement repeats every four years and the current deadline is September 1, 2025. More information can be found on the EPA's website and in our SQG Re-Notification Fact Sheet.

• Overview of the 2015 Definition of Solid Waste Final Rule
  On Jan. 13, 2015, EPA published the 2015 Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) final rule. This rule modifies EPA's 2008 DSW rule by revising several recycling-related provisions used to determine hazardous waste regulation under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

• Generator Improvement Rule
  On June 18, 2018, Florida adopted this EPA rule to reorganize the hazardous waste generator regulations to make the regulations more user-friendly, which EPA expects will improve generator compliance. The primary intent of this rule is to foster improved compliance by hazardous waste generators in the identification and management of the hazardous waste they generate and, as a result, improve the protection of human health and the environment. Another major objective of this rule is to support the efficient implementation of the hazardous waste generator regulation by the states.

  • Episodic Events
    Defined as an activity or activities, either planned or unplanned, that does not normally occur during generator operations, resulting in an increase in the generation of hazardous wastes that exceeds the calendar month quantity limits for the generator's usual category.

  • Summary of Hazardous Waste Regulations Table
    This table is a guide to the new rule numbers for requirements previously found in 40 CFR 261.5 and 262.34. Please contact your local DEP Hazardous Waste Program for further information or with any specific questions or concerns.

• Hurricane Guidance Fact Sheet
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that the Atlantic Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30. The contact information and guidance provided by the Hurricane Guidance Fact Sheet are to assist with the management of hazardous waste generated from a hurricane event. DEP’s Tallahassee program office and district offices will be available to coordinate assistance to local governments and regulated facilities in the affected counties.

• Interim Incinerator Disruption Guidance
  This guidance provides interim guidelines for generators to request 30-day extensions of hazardous waste accumulation areas. View EPA's Memo that addresses existing options for Incinerator Backlog.

Links to Our Most Visited Pages 

• Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste
  Healthcare facilities and reverse distributors are required to notify DEP using the 8700-12 federal form that they are operating under 40 CFR Part 266 Subpart P (266.502).

• Notification of Hazardous Waste Activities Requirements
  Effective Nov. 13, 2019, Florida's hazardous waste rule (F.A.C. Chapter 62-730) was revised to require the use of a new Florida Notification of Regulated Waste Activities form 8700-12FL. The revised 8700-12 FL form includes mercury and used oil program area registrations in addition to hazardous and universal waste generator activities. (Please use the 8700-12 federal form for notification of Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste.)  

• Hazardous Waste Handler Search
  A database query for RCRA-regulated facilities by name, address, county or EPA ID. It includes information about facilities' status and compliance and enforcement histories under RCRA. It also includes a mapping component and a feedback link by which to report data errors.

• Household Hazardous Waste
  The government does not regulate hazardous wastes generated in the home. In Florida, household hazardous waste collection centers have been established in most communities. This page includes resources and programs to help you with your household hazardous waste.

• Operation Cleansweep for Pesticides
  Operation Cleansweep provides farmers, nursery operators, golf course operators, and pest control services a one-time safe and economical way to dispose of their canceled, suspended and unusable pesticides.

• US EPA Policy Change for RCRA Management of Excess Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer

• US EPA Manifest System Demonstration Videos

• CHAZ SQG Report

• Publicaciones y Asistencia para el Cumplimiento Ambiental en Español

• Other Hazardous Waste-Related Publications

• Managing Solar Panels FAQ

Other Related Links

• Universal Wastes
• EPA Updated End-of-Life Solar Panels FAQ
• Electronics Wastes
• Mercury Main Page
• Hazardous Waste Resources
• Hazardous Waste Compliance and Enforcement
• Hazardous Waste Financial Assurance
• Biomedical Waste (DOH)