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 becomes effective August 21, 2019. The Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Rule becomes effective in Virginia August 23, 2019.

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

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

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

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