Use EPA’s e-Manifest to track hazardous waste shipments
A manifest is an official government record used to track a hazardous waste shipment from its initial shipping location to its final destination. Generators are liable for their hazardous waste forever. Therefore, manifests are important because they protect generator liability by documenting their waste arrives safely at the intended destination.
The official record is in e-Manifest.
While you may primarily deal with paper manifests when shipping hazardous waste, keep in mind the official manifest record is stored in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System, or e-Manifest. Follow these requirements:
- Keep paper copies of manifests (if provided by your disposal vendor) until the information is recorded in e-Manifest, which can be up to 45 days from the original shipment date. Electronic manifests are automatically uploaded to e-Manifest.
- Review e-Manifest regularly. Generators are responsible for ensuring the recorded information is accurate.
Refer to e-Manifest or paper copies during inspections.
To show disposal records during routine inspections, you can log into e-Manifest or present paper (or scanned electronic) copies. Either option is acceptable in Ramsey County.
Note that receiving facilities (where waste is sent) no longer need to send final manifest copies to small and large quantity generators. They only need to send the information to e-Manifest. At this time, receiving facilities may or may not send paper manifest copies to very small quantity generators.
Tips for accessing e-Manifest
- Practice accessing e-Manifest regularly. Make sure others in your organization can also access the system. Accounts are at the individual, versus shared company, level.
- Refer to the EPA’s frequently asked questions about e-Manifest.
- Set reminders in your calendar 45 days after shipping hazardous waste to make sure the shipment information has been accurately added to e-Manifest.
- Sign up to receive the e-Manifest newsletter, which provides information, news and discussion forum opportunities about the online system.
Learn more and access e-Manifest