Home About Us Contact Us Links
Introduction

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the primary regulatory driver for hazardous waste (HW) management. Passed in 1976 and amended twice in the early 1980's, Congress established the following goals for RCRA:

  • To protect human health and the environment from the potential dangers of waste disposal;
  • To conserve energy and natural resources through waste recycling and recovery;
  • To reduce the amount of waste generated; and
  • To ensure that wastes are managed in an environmentally sound manner.

Other laws exist to protect the public and the health of employees in the workplace from the hazards associated with the management and transportation of HW. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) mandates include the regulatory requirements for Hazard Communication Standards and the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Worker Protection Standard (HAZWOPER). The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the transportation of HW.

How does HW management impact the Army?

In order to protect public health and the environment in the area of HW, the Army incorporates a variety of measures into its program. Army installations provide proper training for key individuals addressing local standard operating procedures (SOP) and pertinent federal, state and local regulations regarding HW. Management of HW requires significant Army resources. Each Army installation carefully plans how hazardous waste is managed, to include maintaining an annual inventory of HW that is generated, treated, stored, disposed, or transported off site.

How does the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC) help the Army in the area of HW management?

USAEC's role in promoting environmental compliance for the Army in the area of HW management includes:

  • Reviewing all RCRA rulemakings;
  • Identifying newly promulgated regulations, and providing and coordinating the Army and DoD's comments;
  • Preparing Army impact analyses and comments on potential rulemakings;
  • Preparing guidance documents, including pollution prevention options;
  • Developing tools to assist installations in complying with RCRA requirements including a model hazardous waste management plan to assist installations in meeting environmental compliance requirements;
  • Working with the Office of the Director of Environmental Programs (ODEP) and the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) to develop compliance strategies;
  • Tracking the Army's progress on meeting DoD and Army environmental goals;
  • Supporting installations when requested; and
  • Representing the Army on DoD committees, along with ODEP.
Related links


Last modified on
Problems? Suggestions? Administrative Notice