Strategy for Addressing the Retail Sector under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act's Regulatory Framework
The Retail Strategy lays out a cohesive and effective plan to address the unique challenges the retail sector has with complying with the hazardous waste regulations while reducing burden and protecting human health and the environment.
EPA has completed all of the actions outlined in the Retail Strategy:
In November 2019, EPA added hazardous waste aerosol cans to the federal universal wastes list to provide a clear, practical system for handling discarded aerosol cans. Review the final rule.
In an October 2019 memo, EPA excerpted the regulations on reverse distribution and policy on reverse logistics of all unsold retail items from the February 2019 final hazardous waste pharmaceuticals final rule to encourage broad dissemination. Read more about this memo.
In February 2019, EPA established streamlined standards for handling hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to better fit the operations of the healthcare sector. Check out the new standards.
In late 2016, EPA finalized a much-needed update to the hazardous waste generator regulations to make the rules easier to understand, facilitate better compliance, provide greater flexibility in how hazardous waste is managed and close important gaps in the regulations. Find out more.
EPA revised the regulations associated with the definition of solid waste on May 30, 2018. The changes in the 2018 final rule provide a consistent and clear definition of legitimate recycling of hazardous secondary materials. Learn more.