Managing Hazardous Waste from Vehicle Maintenance

Hazardous wastes present a danger to human health and the environment through direct exposure to the wastes or by potential exposures from transportation and disposal. For example, disposal of hazardous wastes is not permitted in traditional landfills because local groundwater may be contaminated.

Hazardous wastes are defined and regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, known as RCRA ("Rick-Rah"). RCRA regulates hazardous wastes from the instant a hazardous waste is generated until the waste is ultimately destroyed. This "cradle to grave" authority includes hazardous waste generators, transporters and disposal facilities.

RCRA includes severe penalties for violators (up to $50,000 in fines per day out of compliance, per violation) because improper management of hazardous waste may severely impact human health or the environment.

For more information, visit EPA's Hazardous Waste Web site.