On February 12, 1985, Florida received final authorization from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to administer its own hazardous waste management and regulatory program under the Resource Conservation and Recover Act (RCRA). The most important feature of that authorization is the State’s agreement to issue permits that conform to the regulatory requirements of the law, to inspect and monitor activities subject to regulation, to take appropriate enforcement action against violators and to do so in a manner no less stringent than the Federal program.
The Hazardous Waste Regulation Section (HWRS) is responsible for
implementing the hazardous waste regulatory portion of RCRA. It reviews and
issues permits and coordinates compliance monitoring and enforcement activities
at hazardous waste generators, transporters and Treatment, Storage and Disposal
(TSD) facilities with the regulatory
District offices.
The Hazardous Waste Regulation Section is composed of three programs:
Quick Links
- The Department has published the
Florida Guide to Writing a Waste Minimization Plan. This publication is a voluntary guide to help facilities develop a waste minimization plan. It contains a brief description of waste minimization, the legal requirements of large quantity generators (LQGs), ten steps to writing and implementing a waste minimization plan, and actual examples from Florida LQGs. While the guide was written for LQGs, it can be used by any business that produces waste.
- Compliance Assistance for Auto Repair (CAAR)
The CAAR program is designed to improve environmental compliance at automotive repair shops. The program has a number of resources, including a workbook and self-audit checklist to help a shop manager evaluate the shop’s compliance with environmental regulations.
- Compliance Assistance for Automotive Recyclers
Automotive recyclers play a valuable role by rebuilding, recovering, and reselling usable parts, and recycling materials that cannot be reused in their present form. Vehicle recyclers can improve the quality of our environment through good waste management practices. This link contains a self-audit workbook and checklist along with other valuable resources to assist automotive recyclers to protect the environment and to maintain compliance with environmental regulations.
- Compliance Assistance for Drycleaning Facilities
Drycleaning operations often use chemicals that produce wastes that will pollute the environment if not managed properly. This link provides resources to help
drycleaning facilities to comply with applicable rules and regulations regarding those wastes.
- School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Florida Department of Education, is coordinating a school science laboratory cleanout endeavor as part of the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s School Chemical Cleanout Campaign, or SC3 Program.
- Universal Wastes
NEW!
The universal waste agenda promotes the collection and recycling of certain widely generated hazardous wastes. Universal wastes are batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment and lamps. Florida has recently added pharmaceutical waste to the program.
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Hazardous Waste Regulation Section