Hazardous Waste Management
Small businesses can take advantage of Tompkins County's permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility to dispose of hazardous materials at the County's contractor rate. State and Federal laws exempt some commercial hazardous waste generators from strict waste management regulations, based on the amount of hazardous waste generated and stored. To be considered a Conditionally Exempt Small Quanity Generator (CESQG), you must:
- Produce less than 220 pounds or 28 gallons(100 kilograms) - approximately 1/2 of a 55-gallon drum of hazardous waste in any given month; or no more than about 2.2 pounds or 1 kilogram, of acutely hazardous waste in any calendar month; and
- You must never accumulate more than 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) - approximately 5 durms-of hazardous waste on your property.
Businesses who do not meet the above criteria must contract directly with a licensed hazardous waste contractor in accordance with State and Federal regulations. For assistance in determining your eligibility as an exempt generator, please contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or the Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division at 273-6632.
CESQGs Using the DEPOT
First Time Users
The following steps should be taken to use the DEPOT:
1. Submit a commercial permit application to use the Recycling and Solid Waste Center (not applicable if you already have a valid commercial permit), submit a credit application (not applicable if you already have a current account) and submit either a CESQG Application or a Universal Waste Application (for example fluorescent light bulbs and tubes) form. If you are unable to download these forms, call 273-6632 to request the forms. Complete all forms and make copies for your own records.
2. Return the completed forms along with the associated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all materials to be disposed of.
3. Once the required materials are received, you will be provided with a written cost estimate.
4. Upon your acceptance of the cost estimate, an appointment can be schedule to drop-off the materials at the next residential Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event.
