Historical Solid Waste Perspectives

Question 1

Solid Waste Disposal Act 1965

Answer 1

promoted the demonstration, construction, and application of solid waste management and recovery system that preserve and enhance resources

provided technical and financial assistance to state and local governments to plan and develop solid waste programs

Question 2

National Environmental Policy Act 1969

Answer 2

NEPA affects all projects that have federal funding or regulation by federal agencies

created the council on environmental quality

Question 3

Resources Recovery Act 1970

Answer 3

SWDA of 1965 mended

directed that national waste management be shifted from landfill disposal to recycling, reuse of recoverable materials in solid waste or to conversion of wastes to energy

Question 4

Clean Water Act 1972

Answer 4

regulates discharge of pollutants into surface water

establishes water quality standards for surface water

Question 5

Safe Drinking Water Act 1974

Answer 5

directed at utilization of a resource rather than waste disposal or emission control

focus is protection of public health by control of water pollutants and secondary parameters that affect the aesthetic value

Question 6

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) 1976

Answer 6

EPA presented guidelines for solid waste management

legal basis for implementation of guidelines and standards for solid waste storage, treatment, and disposal

EPA separated hazardous from municipal solid waste

Question 7

Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act (CERCLA) 1980, Superfund

Answer 7

uncontrolled MSW landfills are those that don’t have RCRA permit

uncontrolled MSW landfills are subject to CERCLA if they contain or are the source of hazardous waste

enacted to provide means of directly responding and funding activities to problems at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites

Question 8

Hazardous & Solid Waste Amendments 1984

Answer 8

reauthorized RCRA

severely limited land disposal of hazardous waste

set stringent deadlines by which land disposal restrictions would be in place

established regulations for underground storage tanks for petroleum and hazardous substances

Question 9

Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act 1986

Answer 9

emphasized permanent solutions for remedial action at sites where soil and groundwater were impacted by release of hazardous substances

expanded health risk assessments at hazardous waste sites

provided liability defense fund for innocent landowners

Question 10

Clean Air Act 1990

Answer 10

established a nationwide permitting program for major sources of air pollution