How Much Does It Really Cost to Manage Waste and Hazardous Waste Properly?
If you're staring at a pile of waste records… trying to figure out what you're supposed to track, what you might be missing, and how much this is all going to cost... you are not alone. We talk to teams every week who ask the same thing:
- “How much does it cost to get a proper waste audit?”
- “Does it cost money to register as a hazardous waste generator?”
- “What’s the real cost of staying compliant - year after year?”
- “Can we just hire someone to do the whole thing for us?”
If any of those are on your mind, this breakdown is for you. By the end, you’ll know what to expect for audits, registrations, training, and ongoing compliance. We'll also show you what it costs to hand it off entirely, and how to get a fast, customized estimate for your facility. Let’s dig in.
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Waste Audit Cost?
A proper waste audit is usually the first step to getting your waste program on track, and it's a critical one. Here at RMA, our audits go deeper than a surface-level eyeball. We'll visit your facility to look at:
- What types of waste you're generating (hazardous, universal, solid, etc.)
- How it's being stored, labeled, and transported
- Your internal procedures and employee handling practices
- Your recordkeeping systems (or lack thereof)
- Whether you're actually following the rules - federal, state, and local
- Where you can improve and exactly what you need to do next
Our typical range for a waste audit like this usually falls around $1,500 to $5,000. And remember: a good audit doesn’t just identify risks, it often finds savings. Many clients discover they can reduce disposal costs, downgrade their generator status, or avoid future fines by fixing just a few key things.
If you're looking for more information on waste audits (and what one might cost you), just click here to reach out via our contact page.
How Much Does Registering as a Hazardous Waste Generator Cost?
Once your audit is complete, you’ll know if your waste qualifies as hazardous. If it does, and you're generating enough of it, you’ll need to register with the EPA and/or your state agency. And shocker, those registrations with the government aren't free!
Here’s a rough guide to what those registrations cost (these are regulatory fees, not consulting help):
- VSQG (Very Small Quantity Generator): $100 – $500
- SQG (Small Quantity Generator): $500 – $1,000
- LQG (Large Quantity Generator): $1,000+
Need help preparing or submitting your registration? Add another $1,000–$2,500 or so for consulting support, depending on how complex your operation is. Contact us here for details on registering as a hazardous waste generator.
Want a quick gut-check on what your generator status is? Use our tool below to get a quick answer!
Important Note: This isn’t a one-and-done registration. Your generator status comes with a list of ongoing responsibilities, and skipping any of them can put you out of compliance quickly! Let's take a look at those responsibilities and what they cost, next.
Ongoing Compliance & Hidden Costs: What It Takes to Stay Compliant With Waste, Year After Year
This is where most businesses get surprised. You’ve done the audit. You’ve registered as a hazardous waste generator. But now you’ve got to maintain compliance... and that comes with its own price tag.
Here’s what you’re likely paying for annually:
- 💸 Waste Handling & Disposal: Working with a licensed hauler isn’t cheap (especially if you generate significant hazardous waste). Your waste disposal costs will depend on how much you need to get rid of - expect anywhere between several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars per year!
- 🏷️ Labeling & Storage Supplies: Think drums, secondary containment, labels, signage, etc. Costs add up quickly - especially for multiple waste streams or large sites. Maybe up to another couple thousand depending on your size.
- 👨🏫 Employee Training: Most sites need annual training on waste handling, hazardous materials, and emergency response. This training typically costs between $500 and $5,000+ depending on headcount and delivery method.
- 🚨 Emergency Planning & Spill Response: Depending on the waste you generate and how much, you may be required to maintain spill kits, contingency plans, and emergency contacts. This is one of the most overlooked (but most enforceable) part of compliance. Budget another $500 to $5,000 for plan development, updates, obtaining spill kits, and replacing used kit materials.
- 🗂️ Recordkeeping & Reporting: Some teams do this in-house. Others hire an outside firm like us to manage it for them. Either way, it takes time and precision. And as the age-old saying goes - time is money!
Want Someone to Handle It All? Here’s What Our Full-Service Waste Programs Cost.
If you're thinking: “Can I just pay someone to get this off my plate?” Good news, yes - that’s exactly what we do at RMA! Our full-service waste compliance programs typically cost $2,500 – $30,000+. Hang tight (or just skip ahead to the calculator), becuase we know that range isn't very helpful at face-value.
Where you'll fall in that range depends on your:
- Facility size and type
- Number of waste streams
- Existing documentation (or lack thereof)
- Generator status
- Training and reporting needs
- Whether we’re starting from scratch or just cleaning things up
- Your waste program goals
Now again, we know that's a HUGE range for most businesses, and it really doesn't tell you a lot about what you can actually expect to pay for us to manage your waste program. Don't worry, we've got you covered in the next section with our estimator!
Want a More Precise Number? Use Our Self-Pricing Tool
Because every facility is different, we built a Waste Programs & Approvals Pricing Calculator below! It gives you a fast, tailored estimate for your operation, no sales call or trading emails required. Just answer a few questions, and you’ll get a ballpark range based on your size, status, and needs. Try it now!
Okay, so now that you've used the calculator, you should have a better idea on what it would cost for us to handle your waste program. If you're looking to get even more specific, submit your email on the final page of the tool and we'll reach out to chat.
What Our Waste Management Program Service Includes
But what are you actually getting for that price range above? Well, it's going to depend on exactly where your facility falls, what you generate, and what you need. But regardless of where you fall, we'll handle everything that applies to you, such as:
✅ Waste audits and waste stream analysis
✅ Hazardous waste determination
✅ Generator classification & registration
✅ Handling, labeling, and storage procedure establishment
✅ Employee training programs
✅ Assistance with disposal contractor coordination
✅ Recordkeeping systems & compliance calendars
✅ Reporting, contingency planning, and updates
✅ Waste minimization & reduction strategy implementation
✅ Tracking & accountability systems for continuous improvement
Now, your waste program might need to include all of these, or it might only need to include a handful. Either way we'll work with you to figure out what makes the most sense for your setup and budget. Selling you add-ons that you don't actually need isn't our thing.
How to Get Help with Waste Management
We get it, waste (especially the hazardous kind!) is a lot to keep track of. And when you’re already running a facility, compliance can feel like one more thing on your plate. But with the right program in place - and the right partner - it becomes manageable, predictable, and (believe it or not) fixable.
So, if you're ready to explore what your options are when it comes to getting expert assistance with your facility's waste management, submit your email on the final screen of that calculator above. We'll connect to learn a little more about your operation and figure out what will work best for you. Or if you're iffy about submitting that email, you can also reach out to us directly here.
Either way, we’ll walk you through your next step - whether you need a full program, a quick audit, or just someone to tell you if you're on the right track. We'll shoot straight with you, even if that means we don't think you don't need us or we aren't the right fit for your waste needs. Let’s see if we can build something cleaner, clearer, and smarter, starting today.
