EPA530-F-98-015
September. 1998
www.epa.gov
Printed on paper that contains at least 20 percent postconsumer fiber.
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Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) in 1976 to create a framework for the proper manage-
ment of hazardous and nonhazardous solid waste. The act is
continuously evolving as Congress amends it to reflect the
nations changing solid waste needs.
For each modification to the act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) develops regulations that spell out how the act's broad policies are to be
carried out. The RCRA Information Center (RIC) was formed to house docu-
ments used in writing diese regulations as well as EPA Office of Solid Waste
(OSW) publications produced for public guidance on solid waste issues.
The documents stored in the RIC are divided into two basic categories:
1) documents involved in various stages of rulemaking, and 2) general doc-
uments discussing die various aspects of recycling, treatment, and disposal
of hazardous and solid waste.
Rulemaking Dockets
• Docket files generated from RCRA-related rulings. Each
file is composed of two sections: 1) technical support
documents that were used by EPA in the development
of the particular rule, and 2) comments from companies,
individuals, environmental organizations, and various
levels of government.
• Reprints of Federal Registers containing RCRA-related issues.
• Administrative Records, which are rulemaking dockets that have under-
gone litigation.
General Documents/Collections
• Catalog of Hazardous and Solid Waste Publications, which lists the RJC's
most popular documents. The catalog is. updated annually.
• Guidance documents, which provide directions for implementing, the
regulations for disposal and treatment of hazardous and solid wastes.
• Brochures, booklets, and executive summaries of reports concerning
waste reduction and disposal issues surrounding solid and hazardous
wastes.
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An historical collection of OSW documents.
Selected OSW correspondence written by EPA officials in response to
questions from organizations and individuals concerning hazardous and
solid waste regulations.
Health and Environmental Effects Profiles and Health and Environ-
mental Effects Documents.
The RIC is open to the public Monday to
Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern time
The RIC is located at: .
Crystal Gateway 1, First Floor
1235 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA
It is recommended that visitors make an appointment so the material
they wish to view is ready when they arrive.
Patrons may call for assistance at 703 603-9230, send a fax to
703 603-9234, or send an e-mail to .
Patrons may write to the following address:
RCRA Information Center (5305W)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401M Street, SW
"Washington, DC 20460
(Please note that this address is for mailing purposes only.)
Many documents are available only as originals and, therefore, must be
photocopied. Patrons are allowed 100 free photocopies. Thereafter, they are
charged 15$ per page. When necessary, an invoice stating how many
copies were made, the cost of the order, and where to send a check will be
issued to the patron.
Documents also are available on microfilm. The RIC staff helps patrons
locate needed documents and operate the microfilm machines. The billing
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fee for printing microfilm documents is the same as for photocopying
documents.
Patrons who are outside of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area can
request documents by phone, fax, or e-mail. The photocopying and micro-
film printing fee is the same as for walk-in patrons. If an invoice is neces-
sary, the RIG staff will mail one with the order.
Additional OSW Sources of
Hazardous and Solid Waste
Information
RCRA, Super-fund, and EPCRA Hotline
Phone: 800 424-9346
TDD: 800 553-7672 (hearing impaired)
For Washington, DC, and outside the
United States: 703 412-9810
TDD: 703 412-3323 (hearing impaired)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., eastern time
"Web site: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/infoserv.htm#hodine
Answers questions 'concerning technical aspects of RCRA and provides
clarifications of sections of the Code of Federal Regulations that pertain to
RCRA. The hotline also takes requests and makes referrals for obtaining
OSW publications.
Groundwater Information Tracking Systems/
Static Software (GRITS/STAT) Technical Support
Phone: 703 448-6415
E-mail: grits@pcengineering.com
Web site: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/ca/gritsstat/gritsstat.htm
Widely used at waste management facilities implementing ground-water
monitoring requirements under the RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste)
and RCRA Subtide D (municipal waste) programs. GRITS/STAT can be
used at sites conducting ground-water monitoring to store, analyze, and
report ground-water data and to conduct statistical tests to determine if
regulatory thresholds have been met or exceeded. GRITS/STAT, version
5.0, and its associated documentation were updated in July 1997 and are
available at the Web site. Users with general questions about GRITS/STAT
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also can call Hugh Davis at 703 308-8633 or contact him via e-mail at
.
OSW Methods Information Communication
Exchange (MICE)
Phone: 703 821-4690
Fax: 703698-6101 '\
E-mail: mice@lan828.ehsg.saic.com
Web site: www.epa.gov/sw-846
Answers questions and takes comments, via phone or e-mail, regarding
test methods used on organic and inorganic chemicals. These methods are
discussed in the OSW methods manual, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid
Waste—Physical/Chemical Methods (EPA SW-846). Patrons can call or
e-mail MICE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and listen to prerecorded
messages over the phone or leave a message stating their name, organiza-
tion, phone number, and requested information. Responses to information
requests are usually provided the next business day.
Pay-As-You-Throw Helpline
Phone: 888 EPA-PAYT (372-7298)
Fax: 781 674-2851
Address: U.S. EPA Pay-As-You-Throw
110 Hartwell Avenue
Lexington, MA 02421-3136
Web site: www.epa.gov/payt
Allows patrons to order specific pay-as-you-throw products, including the
tool kit, fact sheets, guidebook, and testimonials through a 24-hour auto-
mated system. The helpline also answers callers' questions and provides
general background information on pay-as-you-throw.
WasteWise Helpline
Phone: 800 EPA-WISE (372-9473)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., eastern time
Web site: www.epa.gov/wastewise
Answers questions and distributes publications about
the WasteWise program and responds to partners' spe-
cific technical assistance questions. Helpline staff have
access to an extensive library containing information on
municipal solid waste reduction practices nationwide.
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WasteWise is a voluntary EPA program through which
businesses, governments, and institutions reduce waste,
benefltting their bottom lines and the environment.
Partners set their own goals and report their accomplishments
in the following three areas: waste prevention, recycling, and buying and/or
manufacturing recycled products. Currently, more than 700 partners
receive technical assistance and recognition for their municipal solid waste
reduction efforts. More than 60 endorser organizations promote the pro-
gram to their members. The WasteWise program, started in 1994, is an
initiative in the Presidents Climate Change Action Plan because waste
reduction activities can reduce the harmful effects of global warming.
Additional EPA Resources
Underground Storage Tank Docket
Phone: 703603-9231
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern time
Provides rulemaking dockets pertinent to RCRA's Subtide I (the
Underground Storage Tank program). For publications, contact the RCRA,
Superfund, and EPCRA Hotline.
Superfund Docket
Phone: 703603-9232
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern time
Provides rulemaking material pertinent to the Superfund program and the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA).
Hazardous Waste Ombudsman Program
Phone: 800 262-7937
202260-9361
Contact: Robert Martin
Assists private citizens and organizations that have been unable to voice a
complaint or resolve problems through normal channels in coping with the
complexities of hazardous waste and Superfund legislation. Each region has
an ombudsman representative. For more information, call the RCRA,
Superfund, and EPCRA Hodine or the contact cited above.
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Small Business Ombudsman Hotline
Phone: 800 262-7937
202260-0490 fv
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., eastern time
Helps small businesses comply with environmental laws and EPA regula-
tions.
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC)
Phone: 202260-1023
Fax: 202260-4659
E-mail: ppic@epa.gov
Web site: www.epa.gov/opptintr/library/libppic.htm
Serves as a distribution center for EPA documents and fact sheets dealing
with source reduction and pollution prevention. PPIC also provides a ref-
erence and referral service for pollution prevention questions.
EPA Headquarters Information Resources Center (IRC)
General information: 202 260-5922
Reference desk: 202 260-8674
Interlibrary loan desk: 202 260-9368 or 260-2289
Infoterra: 202 260-5 917
Fax: 202260-6257
E-mail: library-hq@epa.gov
Web site: www.epa.gov/epapages/nadibra/hqirc
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., eastern time
Provides a contact to the public for distribution of some general, nontech-
nical environmental information. Some materials not available at the IRC
can be ordered and sent to the reques'tor. The IRC also is the reference
library for EPA Headquarters. It offers a broad range of environmental
information, including reports from various EPA offices, and trade and
environmental journals. Interlibrary loans, Internet services and
in-depth research requests are offered for EPA staff. Electronic
resources are -available at public access Internet terminals. The
library also features a Hazardous Waste Collection department
and Infoterra department, which accommodates foreign
patrons' requests. The IRC is available to the general public and
staff by phone, mail, e-mail, fax, or walk-in.
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vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW (5305W)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
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