Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a U.S. law established in 1976 that governs the management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Its main goals are to protect human health and the environment by regulating the handling, treatment, storage, and disposal of waste. The RCRA allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set standards for waste management practices and encourages waste minimization and resource recovery. Essentially, it aims to ensure that waste is managed in a way that reduces harm to people and the planet while promoting recycling and sustainability.