After two decades, EPA`s hazardous waste regulations still rule

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated the first hazardous waste management regulations nearly 20 years ago under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The rules were designed to ensure that hazardous wastes would be managed in an environmentally safe manner from cradle to grave--from the point of generation to final disposal. The regulations have undergone several revisions but still consist of four basic parts--waste identification, generator rules, transporter rules, and treatment, storage and disposal rules. This article focuses on rules for generators. EPA regulations define three classes of generators, based on waste volume and toxicity. All generators must obtain an EPA identification number, which requires completion and filing of form 8700-12 ``Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity.`` The alphanumeric identification numbers typically are issued by state environmental regulatory agencies.