US States Hazmat Regulations

Comprehensive guide to hazardous waste recycling regulations across all 50 states. Find state-specific requirements, permits, and compliance information.

Browse States Quick Reference

Federal Regulatory Framework

Understanding the federal foundation that governs hazardous waste management across all states.

Environmental Protection Agency

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

40 CFR Parts 260-279 - Federal hazardous waste regulations
Universal Hazardous Waste Manifest - Required for all off-site shipments
Container labeling requirements - Must include 'Hazardous Waste,' hazard type, and accumulation date

Department of Transportation

Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR)

49 CFR Parts 171-180 govern hazardous materials transportation
UN-specification packaging required for all shipments
Proper shipping names and UN identification numbers mandatory

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Federal Safety and Health Regulations

29 CFR 1910.1200 - Hazard Communication Standard
29 CFR 1910.120 - HAZWOPER training requirements
40-hour HAZWOPER training for cleanup workers

Quick Reference Guide

Key differences and requirements across state programs.

Transporter Permit Requirements

Full State Permits Required (25 states)

States requiring separate hazmat transporter permits beyond federal EPA ID

Registration/Notification Only (13 states)

States requiring only registration or notification with state agencies

Federal Requirements Only (9 states)

States with no additional requirements beyond federal EPA ID and DOT compliance

Universal Waste Expansions

Electronics & CRTs (12 states)

States that have added electronics and cathode ray tubes to universal waste programs

Paint Products (6 states)

States that include paint and paint-related wastes in universal waste programs

State-Specific Waste Codes (7 states)

States with additional waste codes beyond federal RCRA classifications

Find Your State

Search and filter states by regulatory requirements and compliance information.

Showing 50 of 50 states

All 50 States + Territories

Click on any state to view detailed hazmat recycling regulations, permit requirements, and compliance information.

Alabama

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Alabama Hazardous Waste Transportation Permit required

Universal Waste:Adopts all federal categories (batteries, pesticides, mercury equipment, lamps, aerosol cans)

View Details Official Site

Alaska

EPA Region 10 (Alaska not RCRA-authorized)

RCRA Status:Federal program administered directly by EPA

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no separate state permits

Universal Waste:Federal rules apply automatically (no state modifications)

View Details Official Site

Arizona

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:EPA/ADEQ ID required; no separate state permit if DOT compliant

Universal Waste:Full adoption of federal categories with streamlined handling

View Details Official Site

Arkansas

Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program with state enhancements

Transporter Requirements:Arkansas transporter licensing and financial responsibility required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus electronics and cathode ray tubes

View Details Official Site

California

Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with additional stringent state requirements

Transporter Requirements:Annual Hazardous Waste Transporter Registration mandatory

Universal Waste:Expanded program includes CRTs, electronic devices, aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

Colorado

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized RCRA program

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and CDPHE registration required

Universal Waste:All five federal categories plus electronics/components

View Details Official Site

Connecticut

Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program, more stringent than federal

Transporter Requirements:Connecticut Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit mandatory

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus electronic wastes under state law

View Details Official Site

Delaware

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized RCRA program

Transporter Requirements:Delaware Hazardous Waste Transporter Permits required

Universal Waste:Federal categories with streamlined recycling standards

View Details Official Site

Florida

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized RCRA program

Transporter Requirements:State registration for Florida-domiciled transporters

Universal Waste:Federal categories with promotion of collection and recycling

View Details Official Site

Georgia

Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program using federal rules by reference

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and EPD business registration required

Universal Waste:All five federal categories without additional state categories

View Details Official Site

Hawaii

Hawaii Department of Health (DOH)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized base RCRA program

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and DOH notification for imports/exports

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus electronics and solar panels (unique to Hawaii)

View Details Official Site

Idaho

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program incorporating federal rules verbatim

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; Idaho transportation safety laws apply

Universal Waste:Federal categories only (no additional state categories)

View Details Official Site

Illinois

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with comprehensive state program

Transporter Requirements:Special Illinois Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Federal categories with reduced regulatory burden

View Details Official Site

Indiana

Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program fully equivalent to federal

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and Indiana motor carrier registration for placardable quantities

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus mercury thermostats

View Details Official Site

Iowa

EPA Region 7 (Iowa not RCRA-authorized)

RCRA Status:Federal program administered directly by EPA

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no additional state requirements

Universal Waste:Federal rules apply automatically

View Details Official Site

Kansas

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program with state-specific additions

Transporter Requirements:Kansas Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Federal categories with streamlined handling

View Details Official Site

Kentucky

Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Kentucky Hazardous Waste Transporter Registration required annually

Universal Waste:Federal categories including aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with some state-specific provisions

Transporter Requirements:Louisiana Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus electronics

View Details Official Site

Maine

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program, more stringent than federal

Transporter Requirements:Maine Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus CRTs and electronics

View Details Official Site

Maryland

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Maryland Hazardous Waste Hauler Certification required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus consumer electronics

View Details Official Site

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with very stringent additional requirements

Transporter Requirements:Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus cathode ray tubes

View Details Official Site

Michigan

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Michigan Hazardous Waste Transporter License required (3-year validity)

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

Minnesota

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with notably rigorous requirements

Transporter Requirements:Minnesota Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus paint (unique PaintCare integration)

View Details Official Site

Mississippi

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program closely following federal requirements

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; registration with Secretary of State for business operations

Universal Waste:Federal categories including aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

Missouri

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized base program

Transporter Requirements:Missouri Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Standard categories plus paint (aerosol cans authorization pending)

View Details Official Site

Montana

Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program incorporating federal rules virtually identically

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no separate state license

Universal Waste:Federal categories (no additional state categories)

View Details Official Site

Nebraska

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program closely following federal requirements

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and NDEE notification required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus paint

View Details Official Site

Nevada

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Nevada Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:All five federal categories

View Details Official Site

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with additional state requirements

Transporter Requirements:New Hampshire Hazardous Waste Transporter Registration required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus cathode ray tubes

View Details Official Site

New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with among the most detailed regulations nationwide

Transporter Requirements:New Jersey Hazardous Waste Transporter Registration required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus oil-based finishes and consumer electronics

View Details Official Site

New Mexico

New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Registration with NMED Hazardous Waste Bureau required

Universal Waste:Federal categories with agricultural focus

View Details Official Site

New York

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with additional stringent state requirements

Transporter Requirements:New York State Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus aerosol cans and expanded mercury devices

View Details Official Site

North Carolina

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program closely aligned with federal

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; state recognizes EPA authority

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program closely aligned with federal

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no separate state license

Universal Waste:Federal categories

View Details Official Site

Ohio

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program with thorough implementation

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and registration with Ohio EPA required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus paint and paint-related wastes

View Details Official Site

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program closely following federal rules

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no special state license

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus battery recycling promotion

View Details Official Site

Oregon

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with progressive environmental policies

Transporter Requirements:Oregon Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus aerosol cans (early adopter)

View Details Official Site

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with additional state oversight mechanisms

Transporter Requirements:Pennsylvania Hazardous Waste Transporter License required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with unique requirements due to state size

Transporter Requirements:Rhode Island Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus aerosol cans

View Details Official Site

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program closely following federal RCRA

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID and DHEC registration required

Universal Waste:Federal categories without additional state categories

View Details Official Site

South Dakota

South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program equivalent to federal standards

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no separate state license

Universal Waste:Federal categories

View Details Official Site

Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with enhanced state oversight

Transporter Requirements:Tennessee Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus paint

View Details Official Site

Texas

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with extensive additional state provisions

Transporter Requirements:Texas Transporter ID required (separate from EPA ID)

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus electronics guidance

View Details Official Site

Utah

Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program with unique local considerations

Transporter Requirements:Utah Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus PCBs (under TSCA authority)

View Details Official Site

Vermont

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with notably stricter requirements

Transporter Requirements:Vermont Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus cathode ray tubes and electronics

View Details Official Site

Virginia

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program

Transporter Requirements:Virginia Hazardous Waste Transporter Permit required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus antifreeze and CRTs

View Details Official Site

Washington

Washington State Department of Ecology

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with more stringent requirements (uses 'Dangerous Waste' terminology)

Transporter Requirements:Washington Dangerous Waste Transporter ID required

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus electronics and lead paint chips

View Details Official Site

West Virginia

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program adopting federal rules word-for-word

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; WV Public Service Commission registration for commercial carriers

Universal Waste:Federal categories without additional state categories

View Details Official Site

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized with state-specific hazard criteria

Transporter Requirements:Wisconsin Hazardous Waste Transportation Service License (for WI-based)

Universal Waste:Federal categories plus oil-based finishes

View Details Official Site

Wyoming

Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

RCRA Status:EPA-authorized program with minimal state changes

Transporter Requirements:EPA ID required; no separate state licensing system

Universal Waste:Federal categories only

View Details Official Site

Emergency Response Contacts

Critical contact information for hazmat emergencies and spill response.

National Response Center

1-800-424-8802

24/7 Federal Emergency Hotline

CHEMTREC

1-800-424-9300

Chemical Emergency Response

DOT Hazmat Info

1-800-467-4922

Transportation Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about state hazmat regulations and compliance requirements.

What determines if my business needs a state transporter permit?

This varies by state. About half of EPA-authorized states require separate state permits or licenses for hazmat transporters, while others rely on federal EPA ID and DOT compliance. Check your specific state's requirements in the states section.

How do universal waste rules differ between states?

All states adopt the five federal universal waste categories (batteries, pesticides, mercury equipment, lamps, aerosol cans), but many states have added electronics, paint, or other materials to ease recycling requirements.

Can I transport hazmat through states where I'm not permitted?

Generally, you only need permits in states where you pick up or deliver waste. However, some states like Massachusetts require permits for any hazmat transport within their borders. Check each state's specific requirements.

What's the difference between state and federal waste codes?

Federal codes (D, F, K, P, U lists) apply nationwide. Some states add their own codes for wastes they regulate beyond federal requirements - like California-only wastes or Massachusetts MA codes.

How often do I need to renew state permits?

Most state transporter permits require annual renewal, though some (like Michigan) are valid for 3 years. Generator registrations vary from annual to every 4 years depending on the state.