scope:

Waste minimization (WM) has been successful for many organizations: By foUowlng the procedures outlined In this mal'lJal. a waste generator can:

• Save monlY by reducing waste treatment and disposal costl, raw material purchases, and other operating costs.
• Meet state and national waste minimization policy goals.
• Reduce polentlalenvlronmentalliabil~les.
• Prolect public heanh and worker heanh and safely.
• Protect the envlronmert

Wasl' minimization Is a policy specifically mandated by lhe U. S. Congress in Ihe 1984 Hazardous and Solid Wastes Amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This mandale, coupled wllh Olher RCRA provisions Ihal have led 10 unprecedented increases in the costs of waste management. have heJghtened general interest in wasle mlnlmlzallon. A strong conlributing faclor has been a deslrs on the part of generators to reduCe their environmental impairment liabilities under the provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and liabilities Act (CERCLA, or ·Superlund·). Because of Ihese increasing costs and liability exposure, waste minimization has become more and more attractive economically.