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  • Hazardous Waste Program

    The primary goal of the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) Hazardous Waste Generator Program is to encourage the conservation of natural resources through resource recovery and waste minimization.  The State of Arizona first passed legislation regarding hazardous waste management in 1983.  The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) obtained authorization to administer the hazardous waste management program in 1986.  PDEQ is delegated the functions, powers and duties to administer the Arizona hazardous waste generator program within Pima County through a delegation agreement between the two agencies.

    Hazardous waste exhibits properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste takes many physical forms and may be solid, semi-solid, liquid, or even contained gases.

    Generator Improvements Rule

    EPA updated the hazardous waste generator regulations, which were approved by the Arizona Governor's Regulatory Review Council on February 5, 2019.

    NEW! Summary of Generator Improvements Rule

    Overview

    PDEQ inspects all hazardous waste generators and hazardous waste complaints in Pima County for regulatory compliance.  Hazardous wastes are generated from many different chemical products and by many different types of businesses and activities.  Large generators tend to be manufacturers of various products while small generators are most often in the service industries.

    A facility’s hazardous waste generator status is determined on a monthly basis. If a hazardous waste generator’s status changes, the generator is required to comply with the respective regulatory requirements for that class of generators for the waste in that particular month. Although a generator may only be in a higher status for a single month, “episodic generators” must not only comply with the federal regulations for that period, but will be invoiced for the higher category’s annual generator registration fees as outlined in Title 7, Chapter 9 of the Pima County Code.

    IT IS CRITICAL THAT HAZARDOUS WASTE GENERATORS MAINTAIN DOCUMENTATION OF WHAT WASTES ARE GENERATED, AND WHEN THEY ARE GENERATED - EVEN IF THE FACILITY NORMALLY OPERATES AS A CONDITIONALLY EXEMPT SMALL QUANTITY GENERATOR (CESQG)!

    Hazardous Waste Generator Fee Schedule 

    Generator Category 
    Quantities per Month
     Fee
    Small Quantity Generator (SQG 1)
    101-300 kg / 221-660 lbs
     $1,010
    Small Quantity Generator (SQG 2)
    301-500 kg / 661-1100 lbs
     $1,760
    Small Quantity Generator (SQG 3)
    501-1000 kg / 1101-2200 lbs
     $3,790
    Large Quantity Generator
    > 1000 kg / >2200 lbs
     $3,790
     < 100kg / < 220 lbs a month is a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)

    Resources

    Household Hazardous Waste Program:
    City of Tucson program to reduce improper disposal of common household hazardous waste, such as automotive products and paints. Drop-off of household hazardous waste is free for City of Tucson residents.  A drop-off fee of $10 will be charged for residents living outside City of Tucson city limits.

    Small Business Waste Assistance Program:
    Pima County/City of Tucson program to provide a safe and affordable disposal/recycling option for your business.

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    Department of Environmental Quality

    33 N. Stone Ave., Suite 700
    Tucson, AZ 85701

    Phone: (520) 724-7400
    Fax: (520) 838-7432


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