The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is our nation’s primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. RCRA was signed into law on October 21, 1976, to address the increasing problems the nation faced from our growing volume of municipal and industrial waste. RCRA was an amendment to the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965, which was the first statute that specifically focused on improving solid waste disposal methods.

Since 1976, RCRA has been amended and strengthened by Congress including in November 1984 with the passage of the federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA). Among other mandates, these amendments to RCRA required phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste, corrective action for releases and waste minimization. Waste minimization refers to the use of source reduction and/or environmentally sound recycling methods prior to treating or disposing of hazardous wastes.

RCRA has been amended on two occasions since HSWA:

1. Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1992 – strengthened enforcement of RCRA at federal facilities.

2. Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act of 1996 – provided regulatory flexibility for land disposal of certain wastes.

Environmental Division RCRA Program Mission Statement:

To promote the Army’s mission readiness by actively protecting Soldiers’ health and working environment by providing comprehensive hazardous waste management, from generation to disposal, across all USAG Alaska.

What’s our mission at Fort Wainwright?

Fort Wainwright’s mission aligns with the core principles of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): minimizing waste, conserving resources, and ensuring responsible waste management. By following RCRA guidelines, the installation works to protect human health and the environment from the potential dangers of improper waste management and disposal.

This involves managing solid and hazardous waste in compliance with federal regulations, promoting sustainability practices, and implementing strategies to reduce environmental impact. Whether through recycling programs, waste audits, or hazardous material handling protocols, Fort Wainwright plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental stewardship.

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