Cleanup Enforcement

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates hazardous and non-hazardous wastes.

RCRA Subtitle C establishes a system for controlling hazardous waste from the time it is generated until its ultimate disposal. Facilities that generate, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste are regulated under Subtitle C.

RCRA Subtitle C has two general paths to protecting human health and the environment:

1. Preventing environmental problems by ensuring that wastes are well managed from "cradle to grave," reducing the amount of waste generated, conserving energy and natural resources, and
2. Cleaning up environmental problems caused by the mismanagement of wastes.

The RCRA Corrective Action program, part of Subtitle C, addresses when action is needed to clean up contamination at a facility.

• RCRA corrective action usually takes place at facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste.
• Corrective action may be prompted through the enforcement mechanisms found in RCRA, through a RCRA permit, or through voluntary agreements.
• Corrective action can take place while a facility continues operating.

EPA's Hazardous Waste Identification web page lists regulations, studies, and information collection requests in response to waste listings determinations.

For additional information on the RCRA Corrective Action program, visit EPA's Corrective Action web site.

The Office of Civil Enforcement's RCRA Enforcement page provides additional information on RCRA enforcement activities.