Overview of RCRA

The RCRA standards are designed to ensure that people who generate or transport hazardous waste, and the owners and operators of treatment, storage, and disposal facilities that handle hazardous waste, will do so in a manner that safeguards human health and protects the environment.

In this course, our discussion will focus specifically on the RCRA regulations regarding hazardous waste and used oil (40 CFR Parts 260 through 268, 273, and 279). We will discuss the management of hazardous waste and used oil from their moment of creation to their final disposal.

To help provide the context for RCRA regulations, in this unit we will learn about the history and goals of RCRA. We will explain the concepts that form the foundation of the regulations. We will also look at who must comply with the RCRA regulations, and how the regulations are enforced. Finally, we will look at the process for cleaning up contaminated sites. Some of the case studies in this unit, and throughout the course, will illustrate the tragic consequences of mishandling hazardous waste. Other case studies will demonstrate the scientifically advanced techniques that are currently being used to clean up the toxic legacy left by others.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.