Solid & Hazardous Waste Regulations

Solid & Hazardous Waste Regulations:

storage tanks holding petroleum products or certain chemicals.

RCRA was enacted in 1976 to address the huge volumes of municipal and industrial solid waste generated nationwide. The goals of RCRA as stated in the RCRA Orientation Manual [pdf], are as follows:

• To protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal
• To conserve energy and natural resources
• To reduce the amount of waste generated
• To ensure that wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner
• Prevent future problems caused by irresponsible waste management
• Clean up releases of hazardous waste in a timely, flexible, and protective manner.

The Act consists of 10 subtitles. The two major programs that compromise RCRA are:

Subtitle C - Hazardous Waste Management
Subtitle D - State and Regional Solid Waste Plans

The other subtitles are as follows:

Subtitle A - General Provisions
Subtitle B - Office of Solid Waste; Authorities of the Administrator and Interagency Coordinating Committee
Subtitle E - Duties of the Secretary of Commerce in Resource and Recovery
Subtitle F - Federal Responsibilities
Subtitle G - Miscellaneous Provisions
Subtitle H - Research, Development, Demonstration, and Information
Subtitle I - Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks
Subtitle J - Standards for the Tracking and Management of Medical Waste

RCRA Subtitle C – Hazardous Waste - is a "cradle-to-grave" program set to ensure the proper management and disposal of hazardous wastes. RCRA specifically targets hazardous wastes that are currently in use or to be disposed of. RCRA applies to hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment, disposal, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs). All generators, transporters, and TSDF's are required to report discharges of the hazardous waste(s) to EPA on a monthly basis.

Tribes are responsible for implementing and enforcing the minimal requirements outlined in 40 CFR (parts 257 and 258). EPA's role for developing tribal plans is limited to:

• Establishing guidelines for the development and implementation of tribal plans
• Providing technical assistance

RCRA Subtitle D – Solid Waste - focuses on state and local governments as the primary planning, regulating, and implementing entities for the management of nonhazardous industrial solid waste.

Review the complete RCRA Orientation Manual [pdf] for more detailed information on RCRA.