RCRA Hazardous Waste Requirements for Retail Settings

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a regulation that outlines the proper management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. While the RCRA applies to several industries, retailers are a particular focus as they produce a variety of different forms of hazardous waste that must be properly disposed to protect staff, our environment and our communities. 

It’s important for retailers to do their part in protecting human health and the environment, all while ensuring safety of their staff when it comes to waste disposal. To comply with RCRA regulations, retailers should implement a concrete procedure with detailed steps to follow. A few include:

• Evaluate waste streams: To start, retailers must have a clear understanding of what kind of waste the company is producing and identify where it’s coming from. From there, all hazardous waste that falls under regulation must be accounted for.
• Properly collect and store waste: Certain materials have different waste regulations, meaning management is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Examples of items with varying management practices include pharmaceuticals, aerosol cans, nicotine products, cleaners, light bulbs and electronics.
• Proper disposal and documentation: Hazardous waste must be properly treated, recycled or disposed, and in many cases, RCRA requires certain documentation as proof of secure handling. The most common paperwork required is the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, which contains information on the type of waste transported, instructions for handling and signatures of those involved in the disposal process. . 

Following RCRA regulations ensures retail staff, customers and the environment are safe from the hazardous materials that retailers sell. Stericycle’s hazardous waste program was developed to address the specific needs and challenges of the retail sector and leverages the experience gained from serving tens of thousands of retail locations, to ease the burden and complications of the RCRA regulation. We offer a comprehensive suite of RCRA and DEA hazardous waste services specifically designed for retailers.

To find out more about how Clean Earth can help your retail business remain compliant with RCRA and regulations, please visit our website for a full list of retail services.