The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has long recognized the challenges associated with hazardous waste management, particularly the need for a comprehensive approach from generation to disposal. As outlined in the EPA’s Cradle-to-Grave Hazardous Waste Management Program, managing hazardous waste from its inception to its final disposal is crucial for environmental protection and public health.
Originally prompted by mid-twentieth-century concerns over solid waste generation and disposal, the program addresses the complexities of hazardous waste management in modern times. With increasing waste generation, communities face the ongoing task of developing environmentally sound and cost-effective solutions.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) established the framework for hazardous waste management, empowering the EPA to enforce regulations ensuring safe handling from “cradle to grave.” This encompasses every stage, from generation to transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.
Hazardous waste generators play a pivotal role in this process. They are responsible for identifying, managing, and treating hazardous waste before disposal or recycling, with regulations tailored based on the volume of waste generated.
Transporters, meanwhile, adhere to both Department of Transportation and EPA regulations when moving hazardous waste, ensuring compliance and safety on public roads, highways, rails, and waterways.
The organization stands in support of the EPA’s Cradle-to-Grave Hazardous Waste Management Program, advocating for responsible waste management practices to safeguard the environment and communities.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of epa.gov
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