The Disposal Prohibition

A key element of the LDR program is referred to as the "Disposal Prohibition." This set of regulations focuses on standards that must be met before hazardous waste may be disposed of on land. Under these rules, waste handlers must treat hazardous waste or meet specific levels for hazardous constituents within the waste. Many types of hazardous waste are given a treatment standard. For example, the following types of hazardous wastes are addressed:

• Dyes and pigments
• Wood-preserving wastes
• Petroleum-refining wastes
• Dioxin-containing wastes

The EPA specifies treatment standards in the form of technologies that must be applied to the waste, or in terms of concentration limits for contaminants in the waste. Wastes that cannot meet the specific standards may not be disposed of by land unless the EPA grants special permission to do so.

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