Which body of law broadly governs hazardous waste management in the United States?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the primary federal law that governs the management of hazardous waste in the United States. It establishes a framework for the proper management and disposal of hazardous waste and focuses on waste minimization and resource recovery. Under RCRA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is authorized to set standards for waste management facilities and has the authority to enforce compliance.

RCRA encompasses the entire lifecycle of hazardous waste, from generation and treatment to storage and disposal. It aims to protect human health and the environment by ensuring that hazardous waste is handled in a manner that minimizes risks. The law also incentivizes waste reduction practices and promotes the safe management of waste to prevent illegal dumping and environmental contamination.

While other laws like SARA (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act), CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act), and OSHA regulations related to worker safety are important, they focus on different aspects of environmental protection and safety. SARA, for example, is closely associated with the cleanup of hazardous waste sites, while CERCLA deals with responding to releases of hazardous substances. OSHA regulations, on the other hand, primarily address workplace health and safety rather than waste management directly.