Quest Resource Management Group LLC has expanded its retail hazardous waste program.

Quest, part of Frisco, Texas-based Quest Resource Holding Corp. that also operates Earth911, added a national retail account with more than 12,000 company-owned stores. Also, Quest said in a news release two existing Quest customers added the service to their contract, bringing another 1,200 locations to the Quest hazardous waste program.

The recycling and environmental management firm said regulatory changes in several states have increased emphasis on hazardous waste management for small-quantity generators and the conditionally exempt. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other governmental agencies are focusing on how retailers handle waste that may be defective, damaged or recalled.

Those items may include household cleaning products, batteries, aerosols, paints/paint removers, pharmaceuticals/medications and other potentially hazardous items.

"Our hazardous waste program represents a significant opportunity for Quest to provide large retailers support as they develop more extensive waste compliance programs and take steps to minimize their ecological footprint," said Brian Dick, president and CEO of Quest Resource Holding.

The expansion brings the total number of client locations for Quest to more than 32,000.