Hazardous Waste Management - Permitting and Reporting
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
This law, established in 1976, empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish regulations that govern the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
Hazardous and Solid Wastes Amendments (HSWA)
These amendments were made to the original RCRA law. They prohibit land disposal of untreated wastes and set standards by which all hazardous waste must be treated before disposal via wastewaters or via land. In order to comply with HSWA, waste generators must know how their waste will be treated and disposed.
Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
This law, passed in 1980, also known as Superfund, gave power to the EPA to establish a liability system, in which the generator of the waste is responsible for that material forever. This essentially means that a company will be responsible for any present and future issues associated with the disposal of their wastes. Also the law includes provisions for the waste generator to cover all or part of the costs involved in clean-up. The law motivates waste generators to select a waste disposal company that:
- Provides the best technology for waste remediation
- Has a good history of compliance
- Has adequate insurance and financial stability to cover costs if a clean up is necessary
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
These amendments were enacted in 1986 to reflect the EPA's experience with CERCLA. Additions to the program provided by SARA included the following:
- Encouraged new technologies for cleaning up hazardous waste sites
- Promoted synergies with other state and federal statues
- Provided new enforcement authorities and settlement tools
- Increased the focus on human health problems posed by hazardous waste sites
- Encouraged greater citizen participation in decision-making regarding the clean-up of sites
SARA also required the EPA to revise the Hazard Ranking System (HRS) to ensure accurate risk assessment to human health and the environment posed by uncontrolled hazardous waste sites that may be placed on the National Priorities List (NPL).
Whether your company requires assistance with complying with these or state/regional laws, ChemOne Compliance can help. We can provide assessment of current programs and assist in the routine documentation or reporting requirements mandated under these regulations.