RCRA basics

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Hazmat World; (United States)

OSTI ID:5480165

Bryant, C ^[1]

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1. Weinberg Bergeson and Neuman, Washington, DC (US)

This paper reviews the hazardous waste regulatory program. In 1976 Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to govern the management of waste materials and minimize the hazards associated with management. Much more is know today about the breadth and complexity of waste management problems, and Congress and EPA have tailored RCRA programs to incorporate this new knowledge. Since its inception, RCRA has grown to about 700 pages. In addition, several hundred thousand facilities now are subject to the law's requirements, ranging from small dry cleaners to petrochemical plants. The heart of RCRA is Subtitle C, the hazardous waste management program. Under Subtitle C, Congress and EPA have crafted the famous cradle-to-grave regime, which regulates virtually every aspect of hazardous waste management, from the generation of waste to its transportation and subsequent treatment, storage, recycling and disposal. Among other things, the law requires owners and operators of facilities that treat, store or dispose hazardous waste to obtain a permit for the operating life of a facility and, in some cases, for 30 years after the facility has ceased operations. This cradle-to-grave program also requires that all shipments of hazardous waste be tracked carefully.

• OSTI ID: 5480165
• Journal Information: Hazmat World; (United States), Journal Name: Hazmat World; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN 0898-5685; ISSN HMWOE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
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