Much of the data in this report relies on data gathered for the two previous reports, the 1986 plan and the 1992 plan. Data sources analyzed for the 1986 plan included quarterly reports, annual reports, permit applications, and surveys of selected hazardous waste handlers. Data sources for the 1992 plan included quarterly and annual reports and hazardous waste manifests. Manifests are shipping documents that contain essential information such as the name and address of the shipper and receiver, and the type and quantity of waste being shipped. Quarterly reports are summaries of manifested shipments of hazardous waste.
Annual reports are reports of waste generated and managed onsite.
The Biennial Reporting System is a database maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In March 1994, DEP made a comparison of the differences between the data obtained from hazardous waste manifests and the data obtained from the Biennial Reporting System. The Biennial Reporting System was found to provide more useful data about facilities that generate or manage hazardous waste. Table 1-1 summarizes the differences between the primary data elements of the hazardous waste manifest and the Biennial Reporting System. The advantage of utilizing the Biennial Reporting System is that more useful information is available sooner and at a lower cost.