Guide
The hazardous waste manifest, step by step
Last reviewed 29 October 2026
The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, EPA Form 8700-22 with its continuation sheet 8700-22A, follows a shipment of hazardous waste from the generator to the facility that receives it. Each party that handles the waste signs it, so there's a record of who had the waste and when.
Since 30 June 2018, manifests can be electronic, through EPA's e-Manifest system, part of RCRAInfo. Paper manifests are still accepted, and the receiving facility submits every manifest to e-Manifest either way.
Who signs, and when
- The generator fills in the manifest and signs its certification before the waste leaves the site.
- Each transporter signs as it accepts the waste.
- The receiving facility signs when the waste arrives, notes any discrepancy between the manifest and what it received, and gives the transporter a copy. It submits the manifest to e-Manifest within 30 days of delivery.
What to have ready
- The generator's EPA ID number and the site's address.
- An emergency response phone number.
- Each transporter's name and EPA ID number.
- The receiving facility's name, address and EPA ID number.
- For each waste: its DOT description (UN or NA number, proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group), the number and type of containers, the total quantity and its units, and its EPA waste codes.
- Any special handling instructions the shipment needs.
Waste profiles approved by the receiving facility make these lines quicker to fill in, and the facility checks the shipment against them on arrival.
When a signed copy doesn't come back
The generator should receive a copy signed by the receiving facility. If it doesn't, 40 CFR 262.42 sets the deadlines, counted from the day the first transporter accepted the waste:
- Large quantity generators contact the transporter or the facility after 45 days, and file an exception report after 60 days.
- Small quantity generators send a copy of the manifest, noting that confirmation wasn't received, after 60 days.
Since 1 December 2025, these reports go to EPA's e-Manifest system. Older guidance quotes shorter deadlines from before the rule changed.
How long to keep it
A generator keeps its signed copy of each manifest for at least three years from the date the first transporter accepted the waste (40 CFR 262.40).
Where Pack-Star and Constellar come in
Pack-Star writes the manifest from the job itself and publishes it to EPA's RCRAInfo, so nothing is typed twice. Constellar lets the generator, the transporters and the facility follow the shipment, and checks your manifest against RCRAInfo's copy.
A note on this guide
This guide summarizes federal rules as they stood when it was last reviewed. States can add requirements of their own, and the regulations themselves are the authority. It's general information, not legal or regulatory advice: see our disclaimers.