Retail hazardous waste management became a major EPA focus in 2014 as retailers asked for clearer rules around products, returns and waste handling. The agency opened a formal information-gathering process to better understand how retail operations fit within federal hazardous-waste regulations.
EPA Asked Retailers for Better Waste Data
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2014
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing the Notice of Data Availability (NODA) for Hazardous Waste Management in the Retail Sector. EPA is responding to issues the retail industry has identified that they face in implementing hazardous waste regulations. This NODA provides stakeholders the opportunity to help the agency better understand their operations and identify options for possible further action.
“As part of President Obama’s efforts to make regulatory programs more effective and less burdensome, EPA is committed to working closely with the retail industry and stakeholders to help remove barriers that may affect compliance with federal regulations,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
The agency seeks comment on existing data on the retail industry universe and amount of hazardous waste it generates, and suggestions for improving hazardous waste regulations for retail operations. The NODA also seeks information and hazardous waste data on the following:
· Episodic generation
· Retails stores’ programs for handling hazardous waste
· Hazardous waste training for employees
· Aerosol cans
· Transportation and reverse logistics
· Reverse logistics centers
·. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426.
Today’s action is part of the agency’s regulatory reform plan that implements President Obama’s directive given in Executive Order 13563, which directs agencies to make regulatory programs more effective or less burdensome in achieving regulatory objectives. The NODA is the latest in continuing efforts to reach out to the retail sector. The agency has conducted multiple site visits at retailers to learn more about how they manage their pharmaceutical and retail waste, and issued guidance within the current regulatory structure to provide flexibility to stakeholders in managing pharmaceutical container hazardous waste residues. The agency has also reached out to the retail sector by giving presentations to industry associations and other stakeholders about retail sector compliance concerns and efforts that EPA is taking to understand and address these concerns and offering to host listening sessions.
More information on the NODA: http://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/generation/retail.htm
Why Retail Waste Rules Are Complicated
Retail stores can generate hazardous waste in ways that differ from factories or industrial facilities. Returned products, damaged goods, aerosol cans, pharmaceuticals and reverse-logistics systems can all create compliance questions.
That is why EPA sought operational data before considering further regulatory action.
For related Green Living Guy coverage, see our article on hazardous waste management in the retail sector.
Conclusion
The EPA request highlighted a simple issue: environmental rules work best when they reflect how businesses actually operate. Better data can make hazardous-waste requirements both more effective and easier to follow.
Source: U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste Program.
