The role of the Bureau of Solid and Hazardous Waste (BSHW) is largely a regulatory one. The Bureau is responsible for setting regulatory standards for the management of solid and hazardous waste, issuing permits for certain hazardous waste facilities, ensuring counties meet mandated recycling goals, registering waste haulers and other regulatory or supervisory activities.

The Bureau also sponsors or is involved in a wide range of non-regulatory business assistance programs. These are offered to businesses (especially small businesses) to improve regulatory compliance and overall environmental protection, through technical, financial and other forms of assistance.

The BSHW is responsible for promoting the recycling and proper management of used oil, household hazardous waste, mercury lamps and devices, batteries and small quantity generator hazardous waste; registration and certification of hazardous waste, used oil and mercury lamp and device transporters; and analyzing and planning for hazardous waste capacity assurance. Grants and technical assistance are also provided to local governments for the implementation of local hazardous waste collection centers and small quantity hazardous waste generator notification programs.
The Bureau manages the statewide Hazardous Waste program which includes interaction with USEPA, district offices and other department programs pertaining to Hazardous Waste compliance, enforcement and permitting. The BSHW is also responsible for the implementation of the federally delegated Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program which issues permits for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Technical assistance and training are provided to the district offices and the regulated community.

The state's solid waste program includes providing grants to local governments to help implement their solid waste and recycling programs. Technical assistance is provided to the district offices concerning the permitting, compliance and enforcement activities associated with solid waste facilities. The BSHW provides a range of technical assistance to waste tire processors, transporters and others involved in waste tire management.

The BSHW monitors and reports on the state-wide recycling and waste reduction programs, and provides technical assistance. It manages the recovered materials dealers certification program, and provides pollution prevention assistance to businesses and local governments in the form of outreach, technical assistance, education, training, and regulatory integration. The Bureau also operates the Recycling Business Assistance Center (RBAC) and administers the Recycling Markets Advisory Committee (via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development). The BSHW also administers the Small Business Recycling Development Loans in conjunction with Enterprise Florida.

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