Us Waste Regulations
The rules that actually govern your trade.
A timeline of the federal frameworks that touch every recyclable shipment in America — and what each one means for an Encorb user in plain language.
RCRA — Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The bible of US waste law. RCRA created the cradle-to-grave tracking system for hazardous waste — every generator gets an EPA ID number, every shipment carries a manifest, and every facility is regulated under three categories: generators, transporters, and TSDFs.
CERCLA — "Superfund"
If your material ends up at a contaminated site, CERCLA can hold you liable as a Potentially Responsible Party — even decades later. This is the single biggest reason verified, audit-trail trading matters. Encorb's chain-of-custody records protect you under CERCLA §107(b) defenses.
HSWA — Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
Expanded RCRA to cover Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) producing 100–1,000 kg/month, banned land disposal of untreated hazardous waste, and established the Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) program.
e-Manifest System (Final Rule)
EPA's fully electronic hazardous waste manifest system, mandatory since June 2018. Every Form 8700–22 shipment now flows through EPA's e-Manifest portal. Encorb integrates directly — your trades auto-generate compliant manifests.
Definition of Solid Waste — Final Rule
Clarified which recycling activities count as legitimate (and which don't). Established the legitimacy test: the recycled material must provide a useful contribution, the product must be valuable, and the generator must manage it properly.
Inflation Reduction Act — circular economy provisions
$369 billion in climate investment, with carve-outs for domestic recycling infrastructure, advanced materials recovery, and battery circularity. Section 45X tax credits apply to qualifying recycled-content manufacturing.
EPA National Recycling Strategy — Phase II
Sets a federal goal of 50% national recycling rate by 2030 (currently ~32%). Includes EPR pilots, standardized contamination definitions, and labeling reform. State-level EPR laws are now in implementation.