Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Hazardous Waste Generation

DOEE Hazardous Waste Branch will follow the guidance memo issued on March 26, 2020 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding enforcement discretion for noncompliance at hazardous waste generator operations due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This policy is temporary and does not relieve any entity from the responsibility to prevent, respond to, or report accidental releases of oil, hazardous substances, hazardous chemicals, hazardous waste, and other pollutants, as required by federal law, or should be read as a willingness to exercise enforcement discretion in the wake of such a release.

If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Williams at 202-654-6031 or [email protected].

For more information about the District’s response to COVID-19, visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
 

The Hazardous Waste Branch protects human health and the environment from the hazards of mismanaged waste, helps reduce the amount of waste generated, and ensures that generated wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner. Facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste, universal waste, or used oil are regulated to ensure proper management of these waste from the moment it is generated until its ultimate disposal or destruction.

If your facility generates hazardous waste, universal waste, or used oil in the District you must obtain an EPA identification number through this branch.

• Registering as a Hazardous Waste Generator
• Annual Fee and the Self-Certification of Compliance
• Biennial Reporting

Outreach: Below, the Hazardous Waste Program published several documents to help businesses and residents understand hazardous and other waste, and their proper disposal.

Facilities
Facilities include all entities that are not households including, but not limited to: businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.

• Who Generates Hazardous Waste?       
• Making a Waste Determination
• Used Oil Factsheet       
• Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses                  
• Proper Management of Bulbs and Batteries                   
• Car Repair Shops Informational Slides
• Building Managers Informational Slides

For Residents
Please note that waste generated by households in the District of Columbia is not regulated by the hazardous waste regulations. The information provided below is for guidance and best practices.

• Household Hazardous Waste
• Department of Public Works: Household Hazardous Waste, E-cycling, Document Shredding
• Cleaning Up a broken CFL

To Report Spills: Call the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802. After the spill is under control, contact District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency at 202-727-6161 and DOEE’s Hazardous Waste Branch at 202-671-3308.

• When are You Required to Report an Oil Spill and Hazardous Substance Release?

e-Manifest
EPA is establishing a national system for tracking hazardous waste shipments electronically. This system, known as “e-Manifest,” will modernize the nation’s cradle-to-grave hazardous waste tracking process while saving valuable time, resources, and dollars for industry and states. Learn more about Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System (e-Manifest) on EPA's website.

• e-Manifest Fact Sheet (General Public)
• e-Manifest Fact Sheet (Generators)