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