Which act regulates the disposal of hazardous waste?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the legislation that specifically regulates the disposal of hazardous waste. This federal law was enacted in 1976 to address the growing concern over waste disposal practices and to ensure that hazardous waste is managed in an environmentally sound manner from its creation to its ultimate disposal.

RCRA establishes a framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste, including guidelines for waste generation, treatment, storage, and disposal. It is particularly focused on minimizing waste generation, encouraging resource recovery, and protecting human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. The act also provides guidelines for the management of hazardous waste sites and requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set standards for waste treatment and containment.

In contrast, other acts mentioned, such as CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), primarily deal with the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances rather than regulating their disposal. The Clean Water Act focuses on water pollution and the quality of waters in the U.S., while the Occupational Safety and Health Act governs workplace safety and health standards but does not specifically address waste disposal. Thus, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is the governing legislation that directly tackles the disposal