Hazardous Waste Program

DEQ's Hazardous Waste Management program is responsible to conducting inspections of waste generators that includes; auto dealers and repair shops, heavy equipment shops, medical clinics, printing/photo shops, golf resorts, dry cleaners, garment factories and commercial establishments, including government facilities (DPW, DLNR, CUC, PSS, Office of the Mayor) to determine the facility’s compliance to the Hazardous Waste Management Regulations.

What is a Hazardous Waste?

A hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having a harmful effect on human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is generated from many sources, ranging from industrial manufacturing process wastes to batteries and may come in many forms, including liquids, solids gases, and sludges.

EPA developed a regulatory definition and process that identifies specific substances known to be hazardous and provides objective criteria for including other materials in the regulated hazardous waste universe. This identification process can be very complex, so EPA encourages generators of wastes to approach the issue using the series of questions described below:

Listed Waste

Your waste is considered hazardous if it appears on one of four lists published in the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 261). Currently, more than 500 wastes are listed. Wastes are listed as haz­ardous because they are known to be harmful to human health and the environment when not managed properly.

Acute Hazardous waste are listed wastes that even when managed properly are extremely dangerous. Examples of acute hazardous waste include wastes generated from cyanides, arsenic compounds, and some pesticides that can be fatal to humans even in low doses. P-listed and F020, F021, F022, F023, F026 and F027 are examples of acute hazardous waste.

Characteristic Waste

If your waste does not appear on one of the hazardous waste lists, it still might be considered hazardous if it demonstrates one or more of the following characteristics (40 CFR Part 261):

  1. Ignitable (D001): It catches fire under certain conditions. This is known as an ignitable waste. Examples are paints, certain degreasers, solvents, and persulfates. Four properties:
    • Liquids with a flash point less than 140®F
    • Non-liquids that cause fire and burn vigorously and persistently
    • Ignitable compressed gases
    • Oxidizers-
  2. Corrosive (D002): It corrodes metals or has a very high or low pH. This is known as a corrosive waste. Examples are rust removers, acid or alkaline cleaning flu­ids, and battery acid.
  3. Reactive (D003): It is unstable and explodes or produces toxic fumes, gases, and vapors when mixed with water or under other conditions such as heat or pressure. This is known as a reactive waste. Examples are certain cyanides or sulfide-bearing wastes.
  4. Toxic (D004-D043): It is harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed, or it leaches toxic chemicals into the soil or ground water when disposed of on land. This is known as a toxic waste. Examples are wastes that contain high concentrations of heavy metals, such as cad­mium, lead, or mercury

You can determine if you waste is toxic by having it tested by a state licensed laboratory using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), by simply knowing that your waste is hazardous or that your processes generate hazardous waste.

What Is Your Generator Category?

Depending on your type of business, you might be regulated under different rules at different times. If, for example, you generate less than 2220 lbs. (100kg) of hazardous waste during the month of June, you would be considered a CESQG for June, and your June waste would be subject to the hazardous waste management requirements for CESQGs. If, in July, you generate between 220 and 2,200 lbs. (100kg to 1,000kg) of hazardous waste, your generator status would change, and you would be considered an SQG for July. Your July waste would then be subject to the management requirements for SQGs. If you mix the waste generated during June and July, the entire mixture would be subject to the more stringent SQG standards

Obtaining an EPA Identification Number

If your business is an SQG, LQG, treatment, storage or disposal facility (TSDF), or transporter of hazardous waste, you must obtain and use an EPA Identification (ID) Number. CESQGs are not required to obtain an EPA ID number, but it is recommended. The EPA and all states use these 12-character numbers to monitor and track hazardous waste activities. You will need to use your EPA ID number when you send waste off-site to be managed.

You can download or call BECQ Call BECQ at (670) 664-8500 to request a copy of EPA forms 8700-12 Notification of Regulated Waste Activity.

RCRA Subtitle Site Identification Form

Managing (Storing) Hazardous Wastes

Hazardous wastes may be stored at your site in containers (55-gallon drum, tanks or others) for up to 180 days, following the certain criteria:

  • the words, "Hazardous Waste," is clearly marked on the container with the date waste was first collected.
  • keep containers in good condition, replacing them when there are leaks.
  • inspect containers for leaks or corrosion weekly.
  • never store wastes in the same container that could react together to cause fires, leaks or other releases.

Handling Hazardous Waste

  • Reduce by purchasing only the amount you need.
  • Reuse the products by donating unused portions to friends or organizations.
  • Recycle by taking products such as used motor oil, batteries, and latex paint to a recycling facility.

If any products cannot be reused, recycled, or properly disposed of in your trash, store them safely in their original containers away from food, pets, and children, then take them to the refuse transfer station in Lower Base.

Disposing of Hazardous Waste

  • When disposing of Hazardous Waste, an EPA certified hazardous waste contractor should be contracted to conduct the collection, storage, packaging and shipping of the waste for proper disposal at an EPA approved Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility.
  • Improper disposal of these wastes can also be subject to fines under the CNMI Solid Waste Management Act, the CNMI Well Drilling and Well Operations Regulations, and the CNMI Hazardous Waste Management Regulations.

Reporting Hazardous Waste

Reporting Hazardous Wastes can be done by contacting:

  • DEQ on weekdays at 664-8500/8501
  • HSEM on nights and weekends at 664-2216

When reporting a release or spill of Hazardous Wastes, please give the following information:

  • Time
  • Location
  • Amount of spill
  • Name (optional)
  • Name of responsible party (if any)
  • Type of hazardous waste (if possible)

Regulations

Forms

Emergency Response

The Emergency Response Team is trained and equipped to effectively respond to natural and human-caused disasters such as: Typhoons, Earthquakes, Chemical and Oil Spills, Terrorist Attacks.

The CNMI has a multi-agency Emergency Response team that includes:

  • Division of Environmental Quality
  • Emergency Management
  • Department of Public Safety
  • Department of Public Works
  • Coastal Resources Management
  • Office of the Mayor
  • Commonwealth Ports Authority-AARF