CONDITIONALLY EXEMPT
SMALL QUANTITY GENERATOR PROGRAM
Some businesses with small quantities of hazardous waste may qualify as Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG). Businesses generating hazardous waste in excess of the regulatory limits for CESQG may not use HHW Facilities. The Program is designed to provide an inexpensive hazardous waste disposal option to these companies, non-profits and other entities instead of contracting with a commercial hazardous waste management firm.
Step 1: Determine if You Qualify
State and Federal hazardous waste laws limit the use of household hazardous waste collection programs to households and those businesses that generate less than 100 kilograms (about 27 gallons or 220 lbs.) of hazardous waste per month and less than 1 kg of extremely hazardous waste per month (40 CFR 261.5 & CA Health & Safety Code 25218-25218.12).
Some businesses do not generate waste on a regular basis, but do have paint or other wastes lying around. So, even if you want to “clean up” the office, you may generate small amounts of hazardous waste. Such businesses are also considered a CESQG.
Step 2: Obtain a California EPA ID Number
If your business qualifies as a CESQG, certain legal requirements will apply to your business, including hazardous waste storage amounts, transportation limits, and State EPA Identification numbers.
Getting an EPA ID Number - Generator Requirements Summary Chart
Step 3: Determine Where to Take Your Waste
Businesses that qualify as CESQG may use the County HHW Facility at Buena Vista at a small cost.
IMPORTANT: Appointments are only available WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS (NEW) AT THE BUENA VISTA HHW FACILITY.
CESQG waste is not accepted at the City of Santa Cruz site on Dimeo Lane or the Ben Lomond Transfer Station.
Not available to City of Watsonville Businesses
Call (831) 768-3133 for information.
Step 4: Make an Appointment
The cost of disposal depends on the type and the size of the container of waste you have. For the most part, these fees will be considerably lower than that of a licensed commercial hazardous waste hauler.
Wastes accepted and associated costs are listed in the CESQG Fee Schedule.
TRANSPORTATION LIMITS: The maximum amount you can transport to the HHW is 15 gallons liquid or 125 pounds solid of hazardous materials per vehicle trip. These requirements are due to storage capacity limits, state regulations, and for your safety.
ATTENTION: Place HHW in a plastic bin or box lined with a plastic trash can liner - this will keep the HHW from tipping or leaking (containers will not be returned).
EACH CONTAINER SIZE MUST BE 5 GALLONS OR LESS
Accepted
- Latex & oil-based paints
- Motor oil, oil filters & antifreeze limit of 5 gallons per visit
- Fluorescent tubes & bulbs limit of 25 tubes/bulbs per visit (PCB ballast also accepted, but must be removed from fixture prior to arrival at HHW)
- Cleaning products
- Solvents & flammable liquids
- Emergency road flares
- Non-empty aerosols
- Automotive products
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Pool, hot tub, & spa chemicals
- Photo chemicals
- Thermometers & other mercury-containing devices
- Household Batteries (alkaline, button batteries, nickel-cadmium)
Not Accepted
- NO Latex or oil based paint greater than 15 gallons per visit. Visit PaintCare's take back program for additional locations
- NO Motor oil greater than 5 gallons per visit. Visit CalRecycle's oil take back program for additional locations
- NO Medicines or sharps. Visit Med-Project to safely dispose of medicines and sharps.
- NO Reactive wastes
- NO Radioactive materials
- NO Explosives or ammunition (includes marine flares)
- NO Compressed gas cylinders over 1 lb