RCRA Information
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the main law that regulates the disposal of solid and hazardous waste in the United States. Created as an amendment to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the RCRA has four distinct goals.
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Goals
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RCRA became law on Oct. 21, 1976, and set nationwide goals to protect the environment and human health from the dangers of waste disposal; conserve natural resources; reduce the amount of waste produced; and ensure environmentally safe handling of waste. In support of these goals, RCRA created three interrelated programs.
Programs
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RCRA's hazardous waste program regulates the handling of hazardous waste from creation to disposal (or "cradle to grave"). RCRA's solid-waste program requires states to develop policies for the disposal and management of nonhazardous waste. RCRA's underground storage tank program regulates the use of underground tanks that store hazardous substances like gasoline.
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Amendments
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Since 1976, RCRA has been amended three times. The Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 mandated the phasing out of land disposal of hazardous waste. The Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1992 called for stricter enforcement of RCRA at federal facilities. The Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act of 1996 provided regulatory leeway regarding land disposal of hazardous waste.
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References
- Photo Credit inhalation hazard class 2 image by k9dg from Fotolia.com
