The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the U.S. principal federal law enacted on October 21, 1976 that governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. This act gives the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from all stages of life: generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal. Congressed passed the RCRA in order to address the multiplying issues the U.S. faced due to the growing volume of industrial and municipal waste. Goals of RCRA The United States enacted the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act with the intention of:

• conserving energy and natural resources
• reducing the amount of generated waste via recycling and source reducing
• protecting the natural environment, and more importantly human health, from hazards of waste disposal
• ensuring the management of waste in a manner that is environmentally sound

Solid Waste Regulation Program Also known as the non-hazardous waste regulation program, this branch of the RCRA was established to develop all-inclusive plans for managing municipal and industrial solid waste, to form criteria for solid waste landfills and other non-hazardous waste disposal facilities, and to prohibit the dumping of solid waste. Hazardous Waste Regulation Program This program directs the EPA and any regulatory partners to inspect facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste to ensure compliance with current regulations. The EPA’s main focus areas of compliance are the identification of hazardous waste, hazardous waste generators and transporters, and compliance of owners and operators of hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal. Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulation Program The UST program was established to implement the inspections by the EPA of underground storage tanks to confirm compliance with technical standards and corrective actions when releases occur. In compliance monitoring, there is a complete review of a UST’s compliance with general requirements, corrosion protection system, spill and overfill protection, tank closure system, release detection system, and reporting and record keeping. Why the RCRA Matters to You It is guaranteed that your business produces waste, and therefore leaves you with the responsibility of managing that waste, whether it is solid or hazardous. Trusting a professional waste management servicing company is highly beneficial to business owners from all fields. These companies’ main goals are to reduce the toxicity and quantity of your waste streams and minimize your exposure to and use of hazardous materials. Reducing your business’ environmental footprint is important and easily done with the help of a waste management company. BWS Inc. is a waste management service provider that has delivered full-service and comprehensive regulated waste disposal to the Mid-Atlantic region for over 25 years. Whether you have medical waste, universal non-hazardous waste, or hazardous waste, BWS’ team of experts are readily available to assist you with all of your waste management needs from generation to disposal. Our professionals receive quarterly training updates on EPA, DOT and state regulations and follow all proper standards and guidelines. We proudly service Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. and Virginia – if you reside in any of these areas and need waste management services, contact BWS Inc. today!

Share this article:

Facebook

Twitter

LinkediIn

Email