RCRA Transportation Regulations

The RCRA transportation regulations apply to the transport of hazardous waste within and into the United States (refer to 40 CFR 263). The regulations also apply when any of the following situations are present:

• The waste is subject to the manifesting requirements for generators of hazardous waste (refer to 40 CFR Part 262).
• The transporter mixes hazardous wastes of different U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping descriptions into a single container.
• The transporter brings hazardous waste into the United States from outside the country.
• The waste is transported along a public road, even if just for a short distance between two properties that are considered a single site by an owner.
• The hazardous waste that is being transported consists of military munitions that are classified as solid waste.

The rules do not apply to on-site movement of wastes within a facility's property, except in the last case in which military munitions that are classified as solid waste are transported.

When a transporter, who may be an individual or a company, mixes different hazardous wastes, as in the second situation just listed, the transporter must assume the responsibilities of a generator and comply with the regulations found at 40 CFR Part 262. If the transporter mixes hazardous waste, but all the waste has the same DOT shipping descriptions, the transporter must make sure that the manifest is accurate, but the transporter is not required to assume the responsibilities of a generator.

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