Three years ago, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added hazardous waste aerosol cans into its “universal wastes” category, making it easier for their collection and recycling – although five states had jumped the federal gun and done this themselves. This foreshadowed what was to come – states taking legislation into their own hands.
The federal Universal Waste programme was established in 1995, and creates a streamlined mechanism for collection and recycling of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste. In essence, including aerosols in the initiative makes it easier for retailers and commercial and industrial users to dispose of their leftover product.
It is important to note, though, that states are not obligated to adhere to the...
A changing regulatory landscape
