WST 401

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

This course is designed for professionals who must understand the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA describes both the federal statute and regulatory law for managing, storing, and shipping hazardous waste.

Participants will learn about the rule's applicability and exemptions that may be applied under certain circumstances. They will understand the basics of making waste determinations (solid waste, hazardous waste, universal waste, and used oil), how to differentiate the three generator classes, and waste management practices that apply to each.

The course also covers additional generator requirements that may or may not apply, including land disposal restrictions and satellite accumulation areas. One course module presents Department of Transportation (DOT) rules that apply to both offerers and transporters of hazardous waste, which begin to apply when the hazardous waste is prepared for shipment, usually at the generator facility.

The class will conclude with the essential elements of rules governing:

1) treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs - specifically, permitting, operation & maintenance, and post-closure care);

2) the Pollution Prevention Act, and

3) the federal Underground Storage Tank (UST) rules. The most recent revisions to the rule ("Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements") were promulgated in 2016 and will be effective May 30, 2017 at the federal level. Looking for more information about this course? Send questions to eti@uta.edu.