What Waste Management Companies Should Know About EPA Regulation Compliance

Waste collection businesses have a responsibility to follow regulations established by the EPA. Doing so keeps your business in compliance with federal and state statutes. Keep reading to learn more about the various programs and acts set up to ensure that contaminated materials are properly managed and monitored.

What Is the RCRA?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was established by the EPA to regulate household, industrial, and manufacturing hazardous and solid wastes. This act was established to address the environmental and health concerns regarding hazardous waste generation. With waste and recycling contamination detection technology, your business can encourage proper waste management practices throughout communities and mitigate hazardous materials.

Handling Hazardous Waste

Under RCRA Subtitle C, the Hazardous Waste Program was developed to manage and control hazardous materials from the time they’re generated until the time they’re disposed of. The EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation jointly created hazardous waste transporter regulations, as contaminated materials are moved by transporters on public roads, highways, rails, and waterways.

The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest

Each year, the United States produces 268 million tons of waste, according to Dumpsters, and 35 million tons of this waste is hazardous. To track and manage this issue, The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest tracking system was developed by the EPA. A core part of this system is a form that the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation require for generators that transport hazardous waste. Unified Hazardous Waste Manifest forms apply to handlers and transporters of hazardous waste.

How to Handle Hazardous Waste

Contaminated waste creates various obstacles for waste collection companies, including operational inefficiencies and environmental damage. Waste haulers can significantly lower the amount of resources they spend on completing manifest forms and manually identifying contaminated materials. Our waste and recycling contamination detection technology allows workers to quickly flag hazardous waste with photographic evidence, which leads to more comprehensive reporting and the identification of hazardous material generators.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to be familiar with EPA regulations as a waste hauling business. If you’re looking to contribute to greater environmental sustainability and waste contamination mitigation, get in touch with the team at WasteVision AI. Our waste and recycling contamination technology streamlines your operations, reduces environmental exposure to hazardous waste, and helps haulers comply with EPA regulations.