Hazardous Waste

Regulation

Hazardous waste is regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C. Businesses and other facilities in Virginia are required to comply with hazardous waste regulations prescribed in the Virginia Hazardous Waste Management Regulations, which closely follow federal standards established under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

Facilities that store, treat, and dispose of hazardous wastes require a permit.  For more information regarding hazardous waste permits, renewals, and permit modifications, please see "Hazardous Waste Management Facility Permit."

New Hazardous Waste Regulations Adopted by Virginia

Hazardous Waste (HW) Pharmaceuticals Rule

EPA’s Hazardous Waste (HW) Pharmaceuticals Rule was published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2019. A portion of this rule will mandate that all healthcare facilities and reverse distributors must stop flushing down the drain or placing into any sewer system all hazardous waste pharmaceuticals and will become effective August 21, 2019. Other portions will become effective in Virginia after they have been incorporated into DEQ hazardous waste regulations. 

If you are a Hazardous Waste Generator and would like more information regarding the changes and how the HW Pharmaceuticals Rule will impact your business, please visit the Pharmaceuticals Rule page.

Training Opportunities

Hazardous Waste Determinations - DEQ Webinar

DEQ is offering two (2) webinar sessions to introduce the concept of making hazardous waste determinations, which are free and open to the public. The webinars will be the same and consist of a two (2) hour presentation including a question and answer session. The presentations will include a discussion of the definitions of solid and hazardous waste, types of hazardous wastes, exclusions and exemptions, making the determination, sampling, generator knowledge and a quick overview of counting hazardous waste to determine generator category.

How to Register for the Webinar:

You may register for the one of the webinars by clicking on the listed date below.

When:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 30, 2019 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Hazardous Waste Determinations for Healthcare Facilities - DEQ Webinar

DEQ is offering two (2) webinar sessions to introduce entities in the healthcare industry to the concepts of making hazardous waste determinations that involve waste pharmaceuticals, regulated medical waste, and other wastes generated at healthcare facilities. The webinars will be the same and consist of a two (2) hour presentation including a question and answer session. 

How to Register for the Webinar:

You may register for the one of the webinars by clicking on the listed date below.

When:

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 30, 2019 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Final Rule for Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine

The final rule provides tailored and streamlined standards for managing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals that reduce the cost and compliance burden for the healthcare sector, while ensuring the safe management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. Additionally, EPA is taking a common-sense regulatory approach to the disposal of FDA-approved over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs - i.e., gums, patches, lozenges), which will no longer be considered hazardous waste when discarded.

For more details, please see the press release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-streamlines-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-regulations-healthcare-sector

EPA offered webinars to discuss the contents of the final rule. The webinars will be the same, with a one-hour general presentation about the final rule, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session. If you were unable to attend, the archive of the February 14th session is available through on-demand online.  

Please continue to check this hazardous waste page for future training opportunities or contact us with any suggestions for future training topics.

Topics of Interest in the RCRA Universe

Please use the website links below to access other areas of current interest in the RCRA universe. These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. DEQ bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

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Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
(804) 698-4000


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