Which act 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. Enacted in 1976, RCRA provides a framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. This includes regulations for waste generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal to ensure that hazardous waste is managed in a way that protects human health and the environment.

Under RCRA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to set standards for hazardous waste management and to enforce compliance with these standards. The act promotes waste minimization and encourages resource recovery and recycling. This makes it a critical piece of legislation in the framework of environmental protection concerning hazardous waste.

Other acts mentioned, while important in their own rights, focus on different aspects of environmental protection. The Clean Water Act primarily deals with water pollution; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (often known as Superfund) focuses on cleaning up contaminated sites; and the Toxic Substances Control Act regulates the introduction of new or existing chemicals. Each of these acts plays a role in environmental management, but the RCRA specifically addresses the handling and disposal of hazardous waste.