What is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act?
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a federal law passed in 1976 to help reduce waste and protect human health and the environment. RCRA regulates the management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in the United States. In California, this law is enforced by local, state, and federal government agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). RCRA is part of the larger environmental law framework used to maintain the safety and preservation of natural resources across the United States. It sets standards for the identification, transportation, and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and it requires hazardous waste generators to track their waste from generation to disposal. It also requires proper labeling of hazardous waste containers and provides compliance assistance to small businesses. Under RCRA, certain activities are prohibited, such as the incineration of hazardous waste, the disposal of hazardous waste in landfills, and the export of hazardous waste to foreign countries. In addition, RCRA encourages the development of recycling and reuse programs to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. In California, the State Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) are responsible for enforcing the regulations under RCRA. CalRecycle provides information and resources for businesses and local governments on complying with RCRA regulations, and offers technical assistance and training to help comply with RCRA requirements. Therefore, RCRA is an important law that helps protect the environment and public health by ensuring the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
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