Which regulation involves the management and disposal of hazardous waste?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the regulation that specifically addresses the management and disposal of hazardous waste. It establishes a framework for the proper handling of hazardous waste from its creation until its disposal, ensuring that waste is managed in a manner that protects human health and the environment. RCRA sets standards for waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, as well as the generators of hazardous waste.

In terms of hazardous waste, RCRA is particularly significant because it provides the legal foundation for the regulations governing hazardous waste management, including the identification of hazardous waste and the requirements for waste storage and disposal facilities. This focus on comprehensive waste management is essential for preventing environmental contamination and protecting public health.

The other regulations mentioned play different roles: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) primarily deals with the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulates the manufacturing, use, and disposal of chemical substances, and the Clean Water Act (CWA) focuses on water quality and pollution control in surface waters. Each of these regulations addresses important aspects of environmental protection but does not specifically govern the management and disposal of hazardous waste like RCRA does.