Q.01

What is an EPA ID number?

An EPA identification number is the site-specific number the US EPA gives to hazardous waste handlers under RCRA. 40 CFR 260.10 defines it as "the number assigned by EPA to each generator, transporter, and treatment, storage, or disposal facility" (eCFR, 40 CFR 260.10).

Approach: I searched the RCRA statute (42 U.S.C. chapter 82) and read the current EPA hazardous waste rules on eCFR (40 CFR 260.10 and 262.18, Title 40 up to date as of 10/29/2026).

What the rules require (40 CFR 262.18) (eCFR, 40 CFR 262.18):

  • When you need one: a generator "must not treat, store, dispose of, transport, or offer for transportation, hazardous waste without having received an EPA identification number from the Administrator" (262.18(a)).
  • How you get one: a generator without a number "must obtain one by applying to the Administrator using EPA Form 8700-12"; EPA then assigns the number (262.18(b)).
  • Who you can ship to: a generator "must not offer its hazardous waste to transporters or to treatment, storage, or disposal facilities that have not received an EPA identification number" (262.18(c)).
  • Re-notifying EPA:
    • Small quantity generators must re-notify on Form 8700-12 starting in 2021 and every four years after that, by September 1 of each re-notification year (262.18(d)(1)).
    • Large quantity generators must re-notify by March 1 of each even-numbered year. They may do this as part of the Biennial Report under § 262.41 (262.18(d)(2)).
  • Recognized traders: a recognized trader "must not arrange for import or export of hazardous waste without having received an EPA identification number" (262.18(e)).

On the manifest: RCRA itself refers to the number on the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest. For small quantity generator shipments, where the DOT shipping description doesn't apply, the form shall contain "the Environmental Protection Agency identification number, or a generic description of the waste, or a description of the waste by hazardous waste characteristic" (42 U.S.C. 6921(d)(3)) [1].

Not the same as the "EPA hazardous waste number": that term means the code EPA assigns to each listed hazardous waste in part 261, subpart D, and to each characteristic in part 261, subpart C (40 CFR 260.10). The ID number identifies the site or handler; the waste number identifies the waste.

Q.02

How do I get one for my facility?

To get an EPA ID number, you file EPA Form 8700-12 (the RCRA Subtitle C Site Identification Form) with your state hazardous waste agency, or with your EPA regional office where that's the right contact. EPA then assigns the number. Under 40 CFR 262.18(b), a generator that doesn't yet have one "must obtain one by applying to the Administrator using EPA Form 8700-12," and once the request arrives the Administrator "will assign an EPA identification number to the generator" (eCFR, 40 CFR 262.18).

Approach: I checked the RCRA statute (42 U.S.C. chapter 82, 2023 edition) in the datasets. The EPA hazardous waste rules (40 CFR Part 262) aren't in the datasets, so I read them on eCFR (Title 40 up to date as of 10/29/2026) along with EPA's hazardous waste generator pages.

1. Check whether you need one

  • Large and small quantity generators: federal rules require them to get an EPA ID number using Form 8700-12 (EPA, Form 8700-12 instructions page).
  • Very small quantity generators (VSQGs): federal EPA does not require them to get a number or file a notification, but they "may be subject to state-specific reporting requirements" (same page). EPA's FAQ adds that authorized states may set stricter requirements (EPA, generator FAQ).
  • Statutory basis: RCRA requires anyone who generates or transports hazardous waste, or owns or operates a treatment, storage or disposal facility, to file a notification. It is filed "with the Administrator (or with States having authorized hazardous waste permit programs…)." No listed or identified hazardous waste "may be transported, treated, stored, or disposed of unless notification has been given" (42 U.S.C. 6930(a)) [2].

2. Work out how many numbers you need Numbers are issued site by site, based on "where a hazardous waste is generated":

  • Several buildings on one contiguous property need only one number.
  • Buildings at separate, non-contiguous locations each need their own number.
  • Buildings with different owners also each need their own number.

(EPA, generator FAQ)

3. File Form 8700-12 You can file on paper or electronically (EPA, Form 8700-12 instructions page):

  • On paper: send the completed form to your authorized state agency or EPA regional office.
  • Electronically: use MyRCRAid, which you reach through EPA's RCRAInfo system. It is only available "in states that have opted in to using the electronic system."
  • Who to contact: EPA's State Contact List tells you who processes Site ID forms in your state.
  • Already have a number? You can look up existing site numbers in the RCRA Hazardous Waste Information Platform site search to see whether your site already has one.

4. After you have the number

  • Before shipping: don't treat, store, dispose of, transport or offer hazardous waste for transport until you have the number. Only use transporters and treatment, storage or disposal facilities that have their own EPA ID numbers (262.18(a), (c)).
  • Re-notifying: you file this on the same Form 8700-12 (262.18(d)).
    • Small quantity generators: every four years from 2021, by September 1.
    • Large quantity generators: by March 1 of each even-numbered year. This can be done through the Biennial Report.

The pages I read don't cover state fees or state-specific versions of the form. Your state contact on the list above handles those.

Q.03

How do I look up an existing number?

You can look up an existing EPA ID number by searching EPA's public RCRAInfo data by facility name and address. The ID is the "HANDLER ID" on each site record. For example, EMCO Chemical Distributors, LLC at 8601 95th St, Pleasant Prairie, WI is handler WID988621447, a large quantity generator [3].

Approach: I searched EPA's RCRAInfo handler records, which come from the RCRA Hazardous Waste Information Platform CSV downloads, and EPA's Facility Registry Service (FRS). EPA's interactive site search page wouldn't display its contents when I opened it, so I can't describe its search fields.

1. Search RCRAInfo

  • Each handler record lists the handler ID, name, location and mailing address, county, EPA region, contact, owner and operator, and generator status (for example LQG or SQG) [3][4].
  • EPA publishes the records through the RCRA Hazardous Waste Information Platform. You can search there or download the full files from CSV downloads.
  • Search by the site's street address as well as its name. Numbers are tied to the site, and a company can hold several. The record also notes name changes: EMCO's says it changed its name from EMCO Chemical Distributors, Inc. to LLC on October 28, 2025 [3].

2. Cross-check in FRS

  • FRS facility records list each linked program ID. RCRA IDs appear as "RCRAINFO:":
    • EMCO's 4909 70th Ave, Kenosha site shows RCRAINFO:WID988615613 and is flagged VSQG [5].
    • Its 9114 W 58th Place site shows RCRAINFO:WIR000108720 [6].
  • An FRS record without a RCRAINFO entry has no RCRA ID linked in FRS. EMCO's Pleasant Prairie FRS record lists only an EIS ID [7], even though RCRAInfo holds handler WID988621447 at the same address. Confirm in RCRAInfo itself.
  • Each FRS record links to an EPA facility detail report, for example registry ID 110005489541.

3. Reading the result

  • The first two letters of the ID match the site's state, as with WI… and KY… in the examples above [4].
  • Check the generator status and the date of the last change on the record. If your status has changed, re-notify on Form 8700-12 instead of applying for a new number (40 CFR 262.18(d), covered earlier).
  • If you find no record for your site, apply for a number through your state contact as described in the previous answer.

If you give me your facility's name and address, I can search both registers for it.

Q.04