Hazardous waste manifest

The tracking document accompanying hazardous waste from the generator to its final treatment or disposal facility.

The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest accompanies a shipment of hazardous waste from the generating facility through each transporter to the receiving facility, with each handler signing as custody changes.

The generator must receive a signed copy back from the receiving facility confirming the waste arrived, and follow up if it does not come within a defined period.

Manifests must be retained for at least three years.

Related terms

• e-ManifestEPA's electronic system for submitting and tracking hazardous waste manifests.
• RCRAThe federal law governing hazardous waste from generation through transport, treatment and disposal.
• Generator statusA facility's RCRA category (VSQG, SQG or LQG) is determined by how much hazardous waste it generates monthly.

A plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Figures are the federal baseline; your state may differ, so see the state-by-state requirements.