Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers
Contact Us

Hazardous Waste

  • EPA Transitions its Hazardous Waste Import/Export Notice Processing System

    EPA transitioned to a new system for processing hazardous waste export and import notices on January 18th, 2022 called RCRAInfo WIETS (Waste Import Export Tracking System). 

    • Learn more about the status of the transition
  • EPA Takes Steps to Address PFAS Under Hazardous Waste Law

    In response to a petition from the Governor of New Mexico, EPA is taking steps to address PFAS chemicals under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and strengthen the ability to clean up PFAS contamination across the country.

    • Review the petition (PDF).
    • View the press release.
    • Read through EPA's response (PDF).
  • Data Analysis and Visualizations

    • Check out new data visualizations for hazardous waste generation on federal and tribal lands
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Waste

    • EPA has developed an interim guidance for public meetings for the RCRA program during COVID-19.
    • EPA has compiled frequent questions about COVID-19 and waste.
    • EPA has developed an Interim Guidance on Site Field Work Decisions Due to Impacts of COVID-19.

The environmentally sound management of hazardous waste helps protect human health and the environment.

Program
Areas

This is a picture of a truck hauling mixed waste
  • About Hazardous Waste
  • Generators
  • Identification
  • Import and Export Requirements 
  • Land Disposal Restrictions
  • Permitting for Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities
  • Recycling
  • State Authorization
  • Test Methods (SW-846)
  • Transporters

Regulations for Specific Wastes

This is a picture of several regulatory books containing the hazardous waste regulations
  • Academic Laboratory Wastes
  • Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)
  • Household Hazardous Waste
  • Mixed Radiological Wastes
  • Pharmaceutical hazardous wastes
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
  • Solar Panel Wastes   
  • Solvent-Contaminated Wipes
  • Special Wastes
  • Universal Waste
  • Used Oil

Initiatives and Special Projects

This is a picture of several drums stacked on top of each other
  • Addressing PFAS Under RCRA 
  • Management of Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
  • Modernizing Public Notice for RCRA Hazardous Waste 
  • Facilitating the Expedited Removal of Defective Airbags
  • Revised the Import-Export Regulations
  • Leading the Electronic Manifest Initiative

The Cradle-to-Grave System

EPA's cradle-to-grave hazardous waste management system provides the critical foundation needed to keep America's land and people safe.  

this is a graphic depicting the cradle to grave hazardous waste management system.
Click the image to enlarge.

Resources

  • A to Z Directory of Topics
  • Data Analysis and Visualizations
  • Trends from Biennial Reports in RCRAInfo Web
  • Facility-Specific Information in Envirofacts
  • Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO)
  • Memos and Guidance in RCRAOnline

Related Waste Topics

  • Managing Materials and Wastes from Homeland Security Incidents
  • International Waste Initiatives
  • Corrective Action
  • Cleaning Up, Protecting and Preserving Tribal Lands
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.

Last updated on April 1, 2022