Which document is required before transporting hazardous waste?

The Hazardous Waste Manifest is a crucial document that must accompany hazardous waste during transportation. This manifest serves multiple important functions: it provides a detailed record of the hazardous waste being transported, identifies the generator of the waste, notes the transporting company, and specifies the intended destination facility. The manifest is used to track the waste from the point of generation to its final disposal, ensuring proper handling and compliance with regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state authorities.

The completion of the manifest is essential for accountability and legal compliance, as it helps ensure that hazardous waste is only transported by licensed carriers to appropriately permitted facilities. It also aids in protecting public health and the environment by minimizing the risk of improper disposal or release of hazardous materials during transportation.

In contrast, while a Bill of Lading or a transport license may be relevant in other contexts of freight transport, they do not specifically address the legal requirements for hazardous waste. The Safety Data Sheet contains information about the properties, handling, and hazards of the substances being transported but does not serve as the required documentation for the transport itself. Hence, the Hazardous Waste Manifest is identified as the essential document in this scenario.