Solid waste redefined the U.S. EPA is proposing to change the definition of solid waste to exclude recycled hazardous materials.Metalcasting facilities that recycle re·cy·cle tr.v. re·cy·cled, re·cy·cling, re·cy·cles 1. To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment. 2. To start a different cycle in. 3. a. certain solvents, metal or other chemicals that fall under hazardous water regulations may see that regulatory burden lifted. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), independent agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, and radiation and to ensure the safe handling and (EPA EPA eicosapentaenoic acid. EPA abbr. eicosapentaenoic acid EPA, n.pr See acid, eicosapentaenoic. EPA, n. ) has announced a proposal to modify the definition of solid waste to exclude from hazardous water regulations some secondary materials that are targeted for recycling recycling, the process of recovering and reusing waste products—from household use, manufacturing, agriculture, and business—and thereby reducing their burden on the environment. . The exclusions in the new proposal are based on the idea that if hazardous materials are not discarded dis·card v. dis·card·ed, dis·card·ing, dis·cards v.tr. 1. To throw away; reject. 2. a. To throw out (a playing card) from one's hand. b. , they should not be regulated as wastes. In order to qualify for exclusion, the proposed rule states that materials must be: * generated, reclaimed and actively under the control of the party that generates the hazardous waste Hazardous waste Any solid, liquid, or gaseous waste materials that, if improperly managed or disposed of, may pose substantial hazards to human health and the environment. Every industrial country in the world has had problems with managing hazardous wastes. ; * generated and transferred to another person or company under specific conditions; * deemed non-waste by the EPA through a case-by-case petition process. The proposed rule also will establish legitimacy criteria to ensure safe recycling, such as: * hazardous secondary materials being recycled must provide a useful contribution to the recycling process; * recycling must make a valuable new product. EPA estimates that streamlining the management of secondary materials in a safe, cost-efficient manner will save an average of $107 million a year from both reduced regulatory burden and increased recycling. "I am encouraged by EPA's effort to reach out to the industry and promote recycling projects that are both positive for the economy and the environment," said Jerry Call, American Foundry Society executive vice president. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2007. Comments must be received by the agency on or before May 25, 2007. To read the rule and for more information on how to submit comments, visit http://www.epa. gov/fedrgstr/EPA-WASTE/2007/March/ Day-26/f5159.htm. Contact Amy Blankenbiller at the AFS A distributed file system for large, widely dispersed Unix and Windows networks from Transarc Corporation, now part of IBM. It is noted for its ease of administration and expandability and stems from Carnegie-Mellon's Andrew File System. AFS - Andrew File System Washington office (202/842-4864 or ab@afsinc.org) for more information. |
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