Some materials can endanger the environment and human health if they are improperly handled. A variety classifications define standards and regulations for disposing of these materials. At the federal level, standards and regulations related to hazardous and special wastes are defined and enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous wastes comprise a special category of solid waste that is considered hazardous by the EPA. Hazardous wastes are materials which are corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive. Easily ignitable materials, such as certain solvents, pose a risk of fire. Corrosive materials, such as battery acid, are very acidic or alkaline and can cause chemical burns. Reactive materials, such as explosives, are unstable and pose risks like explosions or the emission of toxic fumes. Toxic materials, such as mercury and lead, are harmful or fatal to humans if ingested. The EPA maintains lists of hazardous wastes.
Universal Waste
The EPA established a special category of hazardous waste in 1995 called "universal waste." Universal wastes are specific products categorized as hazardous waste, including batteries, mercury-containing equipment, pesticides, and light bulbs containing regulated hazardous materials. The intent of this new classification was to encourage recycling by easing the regulatory burdens associated with handling these items under hazardous-waste regulations.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous wastes are a special classification of hazardous wastes. Household hazardous wastes are hazardous waste materials originating from discarded household products, such as antifreeze, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. Federal law does not regulate household hazardous wastes. However, state and local laws may prohibit the disposal of household hazardous wastes as trash. Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes in curbside trash, drains or on the ground can endanger humans, livestock, wildlife and the environment.
Special Waste
Special wastes are potentially dangerous industrial wastes that are not categorized and regulated as hazardous waste by the EPA. There are six categories of special waste: cement kiln dust; mining waste; crude oil, natural gas and geothermal exploration and production wastes; phosphate mining and processing waste; uranium waste; and fossil fuel combustion waste. Special wastes are regulated under separate standards from hazardous waste. As of June 2010, the EPA believes special wastes pose less risk to human health and the environment than hazardous wastes.
Applicable Laws
The 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act gave the EPA authority over the identification of hazardous waste; the definition of regulations for its handling and disposal; and enforcement of those regulations. The Solid Waste Disposal Act Amendments of 1980 exempted special wastes from hazardous waste regulation pending further study. The 1984 Federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments refined and expanded the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. States maintain standards and regulations regarding special and hazardous wastes that are often stricter than the federal law.
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