EPA Proposes the Paper Manifest Sunset Rule
David Graham
Founder
This is the one we’ve been waiting for!
On March 5, 2026, EPA published a proposed rule that would phase out paper hazardous waste manifests
…entirely.
If finalized, the Paper Manifest Sunset Rule would require all hazardous waste shipments to be tracked electronically through EPA’s e-Manifest system. No more paper forms, no more scanning, no more mailing copies between facilities.
What the Proposed Rule Would Do
The goal of the proposed rule is straightforward: a single, fully electronic system for tracking hazardous waste from cradle to grave. No more paper copies floating between generators, transporters, and TSDFs. No more data entry errors from transcribing handwritten forms. No more waiting weeks for manifest copies to arrive in the mail.
Why This Matters
Paper manifests have been a pain point in hazardous waste compliance for decades. They’re slow, prone to errors, and expensive to process, and worst of all, impossible to prevent poor data quality from leaking into the system. Even with e-Manifest available since 2018, the vast majority industry still relies on paper, and the data quality shows. The e-Manifest team has been talking about this now for over half a decade.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Proposed rule published | March 5, 2026 |
| Comment period closed | May 4, 2026 |
| Final rule (expected) | TBD |
EPA accepted public comments through May 4, 2026. A final rule has not yet been published, but the industry should start preparing now for what’s coming.
What You Should Do Now
Even though the rule isn’t final yet, the direction is clear — paper manifests are on the way out. If your facility hasn’t already transitioned to electronic manifests, now is the time to start. Waiting until the rule is finalized could mean scrambling to get set up under a deadline.
Here’s what Waste Sentry recommends:
- Register in RCRAInfo. If you don’t already have an account, get one set up now. You’ll need it to create and sign electronic manifests.
- Get your site manager credentials. Electronic manifest signing requires proper user roles in RCRAInfo. Make sure the right people at your facility have access.
- Start submitting electronically. Don’t wait for the rule — you can start using electronic manifests today and save money on every submission.
- Review your current process. Identify where paper manifests are still part of your workflow and plan for how you’ll handle those steps electronically.
How Waste Sentry Can Help
At Waste Sentry, we’ve been helping facilities navigate e-Manifest since day one. Whether you’re a generator, transporter, or TSDF, we can guide you through the transition to fully electronic manifests.
We handle the complexity of hazardous waste compliance so you don’t have to. From RCRAInfo registration to submitting your first electronic manifest, Waste Sentry walks you through every step. Our platform is built specifically to make e-Manifest easy, no more deciphering EPA’s systems on your own.
The Paper Manifest Sunset Rule is a big deal for the industry, and we’re here to make sure you’re ready. Don’t wait until the final rule drops to start your transition. Get started with Waste Sentry today and stay ahead of the curve.