What is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a federal law passed in 1976 that regulates the management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. It is the primary law in the United States governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. The goal of RCRA is to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. In Virginia, RCRA is implemented by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DEQ works to ensure that hazardous waste is managed safely and properly, and that all hazardous waste is disposed of in a manner that is protective of public health and the environment. To do this, RCRA establishes standards for the storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste, and provides authorities to enforce its provisions. RCRA also requires operators of hazardous waste facilities to obtain a permit before they can accept or treat hazardous waste. The RCRA permit identifies the type and amount of hazardous waste the facility can accept, as well as the operational requirements the facility must follow. In addition, RCRA requires that hazardous waste be tracked from its generation to the final disposal site. This tracking is to ensure that hazardous waste is not illegally dumped or improperly managed. Ultimately, by implementing the standards and requirements of RCRA, Virginia is protecting its citizens, environment, and resources from the potential hazards associated with the management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

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What is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act?

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