Tennessee
Hazardous waste notifications
Tennessee hazardous waste notifications
Facilities that conduct hazardous waste activities regulated under Tennessee Rule 0400-12-01 must notify the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) of those activities, beginning with obtaining a U.S. EPA identification number. TDEC says those numbers are assigned by its Division of Land Protection for certain hazardous waste, used oil and universal waste activities.
In a Phase I ESA
This is the state record of who handled regulated waste at an address. It sits beside the federal generator records described on the RCRA Generators page. ASTM E1527-21 lists state hazardous waste facility records among its standard sources. This handbook does not pair a single Tennessee list with that type; this is one of the Tennessee records that bear on it. The distances the standard sets for each kind of record are on the search distances page.
- There is a floor. A facility must notify if it generates more than 100 kg (220 pounds) of hazardous waste, or more than 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of acutely hazardous waste, in any calendar month, or if it treats, stores or disposes of hazardous waste. TDEC says Very Small Quantity Generators should report annually but are not required to. So the absence of a notification does not show that no hazardous waste was generated.
- Changes are reportable. Existing generators must report any change in facility data within 30 days, and TDEC's examples are changes in name, owner, contact person, mailing address and generator status. A notification history can therefore show when a site changed hands or changed category.
- Notifications can be filed electronically. TDEC says facilities can now submit notifications through RCRAInfo, or by mail on its forms.
- Used oil is handled the same way. TDEC says all used oil management permits are permit-by-rule. Used oil collection centers only register. Transporters, transfer facilities, processors, re-refiners, marketers and burners of off-specification used oil fuel complete a notification, and must hold an EPA ID number for the physical location of the facility. Used oil generators do not complete an application.
What the record shows
TDEC divides generators into three categories based on their annual handling of hazardous wastes.
| Category | What TDEC says of it |
|---|---|
| Large Quantity Generators | Must report annually and pay annual fees |
| Small Quantity Generators | Must report annually and pay annual fees |
| Very Small Quantity Generators | Should report annually but are not required to do so, and do not pay an annual fee |
New generators must submit the registration packet within 90 days of the initial generation. TDEC says the packet includes detailed questions about the types of wastes generated, amounts and descriptions. TDEC also describes Waste Stream Notifications, Annual Reports and Waste Reduction Reports as the means by which it manages hazardous waste from generators, which it says are primarily manufacturing industry.
Transporters and transfer facilities notify as well. A new in-state transporter or transfer facility receives an Installation Identification Number from Tennessee, and transporter permits expire on January 31 each year unless renewed. A used oil facility receives a UOP number.
Tennessee's hazardous waste program began in October 1980. TDEC says Tennessee has been authorized by EPA to administer the majority of the federal program, under the oversight of EPA Region 4, and that the program operates under the Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1977, T.C.A. section 68-212-101 and following.
Where to look a site up
The pages read name no TDEC list of notified facilities. They point to RCRAInfo for filing. Start with the generator records described on the RCRA Generators page, then ask TDEC for the notification history by EPA ID number.
Getting the file
The Division of Land Protection's Waste Management Branch is at 615-532-0780 and Solid.Waste@tn.gov. TDEC's Public Records Request page carries the department's records request route.
Sources
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation pages, read October 7, 2026:
- Tennessee Waste Activity Audit Section, last modified September 23, 2026.
- Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity, last modified April 28, 2026.
- Notification for Used Oil Management, last modified April 28, 2026.
- Tennessee Hazardous Waste Management, last modified September 23, 2026.
- Public Records Request, last modified November 3, 2025.