EPA Cannot Use Low Exposure to Justify DecaBDE Inaction, Ninth Circuit Rules
The Ninth Circuit has ruled that EPA’s decisions not to regulate certain decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) exposures under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) were not supported by substantial evidence, ordering the agency to regulate or better justify its inaction in four areas: recyclable articles, disposal, wastewater, and sewage sludge. The May 13, 2026, ruling leaves […]
EPA Issues Rule Amending RCRA Definition of Solid Waste
On May 30, 2018, in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s July 2017 and March 2018 orders, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule revising the Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA relied upon Section 553 of the […]
D.C. Circuit Revises Its Decision on the Definition of Solid Waste
On March 6, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit or Court) issued an unsigned per curiam opinion revising its July 2017 decision, which struck down portions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2015 Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) Rule. American Petroleum Institute v. EPA, D.C. Cir. […]
EPA Proposes to Add Aerosols to the Universal Waste Regulations
On March 16, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) proposed adding hazardous waste aerosol cans to the universal waste program under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations. Comments are due by April 16, 2018. Aerosol cans are widely used for dispensing a broad range of products including paints, solvents, […]
EPA Offers Free Training On the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule
EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) will hold a free full-day workshop on the 2016 Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Final Rule. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, in Arlington, VA, from 8:30 to 3:00 PM. The workshop will cover all the major provisions of the rule, looking at regulatory […]
EPA Announces Settlement with Macy’s over Hazardous Waste Violations
On October 25, 2017, EPA Region 6 announced a settlement with Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc. (Macy’s) over violations of hazardous waste regulations, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In addition to correcting violations, Macy’s will also develop a program with the capacity to train 400 retailers in Oklahoma and Texas, and conduct third-party audits […]
Retailers Face Hazardous Waste Disposal Challenges in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey
In the wake of natural disasters, like Hurricane Harvey, many are quick to assess and analyze the effects of flooding and damage to Superfund toxic waste sites and from hazardous waste spills– understandably so. Many other sites, such as retail stores, were damaged by the extensive flooding caused by the hurricane. Now many retailers and […]
The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Invalidates Two Key Provisions of the 2015 Amendments to the Definition of Solid Waste
On July 7, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a decision invalidating two key provisions of the 2015 amendments to the definition of solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). American Petroleum Institute v. EPA (D.C. Cir. No. 09-1038). The Court invalidated Factor 4 of the legitimacy […]
EPA Finalizes Hazardous Waste Improvements Rule
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates the generation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The requirements under RCRA and regulations implementing RCRA can apply to companies that generate hazardous waste during the manufacture of certain products, or, can apply to companies and/or retailers that are ultimately discarding unused, expired, recalled, or damaged […]