GUIDE
EPA Registry ID vs. RCRA Handler ID
Written by US Waste Index · Published Aug 28, 2026 · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · not yet independently reviewed by a third-party subject-matter expert — see Editorial Policy
An EPA facility on US Waste Index carries two different ID numbers: a Registry ID (a single cross-program identifier from EPA's Facility Registry Service, the one this site uses as its own facility key) and a RCRA Handler ID (a state-issued, hazardous-waste-specific number, sometimes called an EPA ID Number). They aren't interchangeable — this guide covers what each one identifies, current as of the August 26, 2026 data snapshot.
Two different ID systems, one facility
The Registry ID comes from EPA's Facility Registry Service (FRS) — a single identifier assigned once per physical facility, shared across every federal environmental program that facility touches (air, water, hazardous waste, and more). US Waste Index uses it internally as the canonical link between a facility and its other federal program data, but it doesn't appear in this site's facility URLs — those use an internal numeric ID specific to this site, not the Registry ID.
The RCRA Handler ID is different: it's issued specifically for the hazardous-waste program, tracked inside RCRAInfo (see our guide on what RCRAInfo is). It's the number that actually appears on hazardous-waste manifests, permits, and state paperwork — which is why it's sometimes just called the 'EPA ID Number' in that context.
What a RCRA Handler ID looks like
A RCRA Handler ID is typically a 12-character code: a 2-letter state prefix, then a letter (commonly D or P), then 9 digits — for example, a Texas facility's ID starts with 'TXD'. A Registry ID, by contrast, is a longer all-numeric FRS identifier with no state prefix.
If you're filling out a manifest or searching a state hazardous-waste database directly, the Handler ID is what that system expects — not the Registry ID.
Why a facility can end up with more than one Handler ID
Because Handler IDs are issued per hazardous-waste registration rather than per physical site, a facility that's changed ownership, restructured, or registered separately for different waste activities over time can accumulate more than one historical Handler ID. The Registry ID is what ties those records back together as one physical facility on this site, rather than showing up as several disconnected, orphaned records.
Which one to use, and when
Use the Registry ID to look a facility up on US Waste Index, or to cross-reference it against other EPA program data (air permits, water discharge records) tied to the same physical site.
Use the RCRA Handler ID when you're working directly with a state environmental agency, filling out hazardous-waste paperwork, or searching EPA's RCRAInfo system directly rather than through ECHO's public interface.
A real example: one facility, both IDs
Below is a real facility record showing both identifiers side by side, sourced from the same EPA data every profile on this site uses.
UNIVAR SOLUTIONS - DALLAS BEKAY ST FACILITY
EPA public recordDALLAS, TX · Registry ID 110000457719 · RCRA handler ID TXD981154388
- Handler classification(s)
- LQG, Transporter
- Recorded violations
- 4
- Open violations
- 0
- Significant non-complier
- No
- Total penalties (5-yr)
- —
- Inspections (5-yr)
- Not reported
As of Aug 26, 2026. View this facility's full record →
FAQ
Is the EPA Registry ID the same as the RCRA Handler ID?
No. The Registry ID is a single cross-program identifier from EPA's Facility Registry Service. The RCRA Handler ID is a separate, hazardous-waste-specific number tracked in RCRAInfo, sometimes called the EPA ID Number.
What does a RCRA Handler ID look like?
Typically a 12-character code: a 2-letter state prefix, a letter (often D or P), then 9 digits — for example, a Texas facility's starts with 'TXD'.
Why does a facility sometimes have more than one Handler ID?
Handler IDs are issued per hazardous-waste registration, not strictly per physical site, so ownership changes or separate registrations over time can leave a facility with more than one historical ID. The Registry ID is the stable link tying those records to one physical facility.
Which ID should I use to search US Waste Index?
The Registry ID works to look a facility up, but it isn't what shows in the facility's URL once you're on the page — this site's facility URLs use an internal numeric ID of its own, not the Registry ID or the RCRA Handler ID.
Which ID goes on a hazardous-waste manifest?
The RCRA Handler ID (EPA ID Number), not the Registry ID — manifests and state hazardous-waste paperwork are keyed to the program-specific number.
Primary sources
This guide is reference material compiled by US Waste Index, not original regulatory guidance — verify anything time-sensitive or high-stakes directly against these primary sources.