Department of Energy's approach to managing mixed waste

Until recently, the Dept. of Energy's (DOE's) management of its radioactive wastes was self-regulated under the authority of the Atomic Energy Act. In the last 2 yr, however, mixed low-level radioactive wastes were brought under hazardous waste regulation. In addition, on May 1, 1987, the DOE issued a final rule that subjects any nonradioactive hazardous components in radioactive wastes streams, including high-level and transuranic wastes, to additional regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Many DOE wastes contain RCRA-regulated constituents, such as halogenated organic solvents, degreasers, and heavy metals. Such wastes are now considered to be mixed waste, and this change gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jurisdiction to impose a great many new requirements on DOE's radioactive waste management operations. All DOE mixed waste storage and disposal sites must now have RCRA permits and meet RCRA's technical requirements. As a result of these changes, DOE has had to formulate an entirely new approach to waste management, which has involved the establishment of new philosophies, programs, and procedures. This paper describes the new integrated approach for the management of hazardous and mixed wastes at DOE installations. The discussion includes waste minimization, RCRA-permitted storage, development of treatment and disposalmore » options, and technology demonstration.« less