As US EPA recently implemented the third of listed chemicals under the land ban regulations, manufacturing facilities in a wide variety of industries have been faced with a serious dilemma. Not only have the doors closed on widely practiced disposal methods, but stringent regulations under the resource conservation and recovery act (RCRA) make it unlawful to store hazardous waste beyond the allowable time on the manufacturing premises without a proper permit.

US EPA under the direction of US Congress’s Office for Technology Assessment has heavily promoted the practice of waste minimization and has challenged industry to address its hazardous waste generating practices by incorporating mandatory waste minimization plans in writing, for all major hazardous waste generating facilities.

Many case studies did indeed confirm achievement of drastic reductions in the volume of hazardous waste generated by specific industries through implementation of a variety of approaches and new management practices.

The speaker will present actual waste minimization practices and their economic benefits.

Author: Erich W. Salomon