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 and Educational Webinar Opportunities

Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule Training

Overview of the Final Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine
A high level overview of EPA's Final Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule and Amendment to the P075 listing for nicotine. These regulations will be adopted into the Virginia Hazardous Waste Management Regulations effective no later than September 30, 2019. The basics of the webinar will help healthcare facilities decide whether they should take the longer training offered by DEQ in the summer.
June 25, 2019, 9:30 am to 11:30 a.m.

Final Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule
A training class will be held at various locations throughout the state. Each class will consist of two parts, one morning and one afternoon session covering different aspects of the Final Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule. Attendees should plan on staying for both sessions.
Hazardous Waste Identification for Healthcare and Reverse Distributors-9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
This session will introduce those in the healthcare industry and reverse distributors to the concepts of making hazardous waste determinations that involve waste pharmaceuticals, regulated medical waste and other wastes generated at healthcare facilities. Healthcare facilities and reverse distributors will be taught how to make waste determinations specifically geared toward preparing for the implementation of the HW Pharmaceuticals Rule. A question and answer period will be included.
Implementing the Final Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine-12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The afternoon session will discuss how to determine if the new rule applies at your facility, and the mechanics of complying with the new rule if you are required to comply or if you make a choice to comply. Again, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
For the full list of training dates and locations, please see the Hazardous Waste Training and Educational Webinars page.

More Training and Webinars
Please continue to check this page for current events and for future training opportunities please see the Hazardous Waste Training and Educational Webinars page 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.

Adding Aerosol Cans to Universal Waste Regulations
E-Manifest
EPA Rulemaking - Dockets, The Basic Regulatory Process
Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals
Modernizing Ignitable Liquids Determination
Vacatur to the Definition of Solid Waste

DEQ Public Notices

Public Calendar

Air Quality Forecasting

View DEQ Expenses

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

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