United States .
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5305W)
EPA-530-R-96-010
July 1996
RCRA Environmental
Indicators Progress
Report: 1995 Update
Recycled/Recyclable Printed with Vegetable Based Inks on Recycled Paper (20% Posteonsumer)
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530-R-96-010
Exhibit3-5.
Subtitle D Indicator No. 1. Municipal Solid Waste
Management Trends, 1960-1993
250
Q Recovery for Recycling
Combustion
Landfill
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1993
Year
Sources: EPA, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1992 Update.
EPA, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1994 Update.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER!.
CHAPTER 2.
CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER 4.
APPENDIX A.
APPENDIX B.
APPENDIX C.
APPENDIX D.
APPENDIX E.
INTRODUCTION ......;... 1.1
, . .... - . -... ................ .. .1-1.
WASTE MINIMIZATION INDICATORS .:. 21
SAFE MANAGEMENT EVDICATORS.. ;...'....."....'..... . . 3_!
CORRECTIVE ACTION INDICATORS ! . . 4_i
ACRONYMS ................'/;...... [...........;........... A_!
INTRODUCTION TO ENVniONMENTAL INDICATORS . B-l
DISCUSSION OF DATA SOURCES .. .....- c_!
NEWLY IDENTIFIED .HAZARDOUS WASTES ... ......... . D-l
REFERENCES ......'...,;-..'...,'. ,./.........;..........;. E_i
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INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1
EPA's Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is continuing to make progress in developing and reporting
environmental indicators to measure progress in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
program. In 1992, OSW published a report summarizing early progress in the development of environmental
indicators and discussing an implementation plan for the future.1 OSW began reporting 12 indicators in a
second report published in 1993.2 This report, the third in the series, updates 11 of these indicators and adds
one new indicator. .
Chapters 2,3, and 4 of this report discuss indicators for three major components of the RCRA
program: waste minimization, safe management, and corrective action. These are the three major goals OSW
has defined.for the program, consistent with the objectives and themes of the RCRA statute.
Waste minimization indicators are being developed to help determine the effect of RCRA
program activities to reduce the quantity, toxicity, and hazardous properties of wastes-
conserve natural resources by reducing the use of raw materials; and reduce the use of toxic
materials in production. OSW is just beginning efforts in some of these areas.
V Safe management indicators are being developed to measure the effectiveness of program
activities to prevent harm to human health and the environment from the mismanagement of
, wastes after they are generated. This category of indicators encompasses the safe
management of wastes from "cradle to grave," i.e., from the point of generation through
transportation, storage, treatment, and final disposal. A widevariety of program activities
are covered in this category, including waste manifesting; treatment of wastes prior to land
disposal (e.g., best demonstrated available technology [BDAT]); location standards for
waste managementunits; standards for the design, operation, and closure of waste '
management units; and monitoring to identify releases from waste management units to
ensure that the units' design and operating practices are effective in preventing releases/
Corrective action indicators are being developed to measure the effectiveness of activities to
control and clean up contamination from waste at RCRA facilities. Activities covered
include assessing sites to determine me need for corrective action, stabilizing and cleaning
up releases, and prioritizing site assessment and cleanup based on human health and "
'EPA. 1992. RCRA Environmental Indicators; FY1991 Progress Report and Implementation Plan for,
the Future. Office of Solid Waste. Communications, Analysis, and Budget Division. January 1992.
2EPA. 1992. RCRA Environmental Indicators: FY1992'ProgressReport. Officeof'Solid Waste
Communicationsi Analysis, and Budget Division. April 1993. '
1-1
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environmental risks. Two new indicators are being developed to trapk the actual environmental results of
remediation activities.
Appendix A provides a list of acronyms. A brief introduction to environmental indicators and their
role in EPA programs is presented in Appendix B. Appendix C briefly discusses the data sources currently
being used to report RCRA environmental indicators. Appendix D provides a discussion of newly regulated
hazardous wastes, i.e., wastes that became subject to regulation under RCRA Subtitle C between 1989 and
1991. References for this report are listed in Appendix E.
1-2
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WASTE MINIMIZATION INDICATORS
CHAPTER 2
Subtitle C Indicators:
" Subtitle C Indicator No. 1A. Quantities of Primary Hazardous Waste Generated in 1991 Bv
SIC Code .. ' J .
f .-.-.'.: -'. ' . -.- - . ...-.,. . -..:-.-, - . . .--.- --,.
* Subtitle C Indicator No. IB. Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Quantities of Primary
Hazardous Waste Generated, By SIC Code
Subtitle C Indicator Nn. ?, A . Quantities of Hazardous Wastewater and Non-wastewater
Generated in 1991, By SIC Code
* Subtitle^ Indicator No ?,R. Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Generated Quantities of Non-
wastewater, By SIC Code . . _
- , , . f
TA- Trends b theRecyclin^ecovery of RCRA Hazardous Waste,
Subtitle G Indicator No m Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Recycling^lecovery of
Hazardous Wastewater and Non-wastewater
Subtitle p Indicators:
Subtitle D Indicator No 1 . Trends in Total Municipal Solid Waste Generation. 1960 to
D IndiCat°rNo ?" Trends in Per Capita Municipal Solid Waste Generation, 1960
Subtitle D IndicatorNo 3. Trends in the Recovery of Municipal Solid Waste for Recycling
(Including Composting), 1960s ,993 ''...' -
2-1
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Subtitle C Indicators
1A. Quantities of Primary Hazardous Waste Generated in 1991. By SIC Code
Exhibit 2-1 presents the distribution by SIC code of primary hazardous waste-generated in 1991.
The data were derived from the 1991 Biennial Reporting System (BRS) Reporting Database. The quantities
reported in this exhibit include only "primary waste" (i.e., waste generated on site from production processes,
service activities, or the management of non-hazardous waste). "Secondary wastes," which are excluded from
this report, are hazardous waste residuals resulting from the treatment or recycling of previously existing
hazardous waste such as solids resulting from stabilization processes and sludges resulting from the treatment
of hazardous wastewater. Quantities of secondary waste are excluded because they are not the target for
waste minimization. Li fact, an increase in secondary waste generation could indicate that more hazardous
waste is being treated or recycled.1 This exhibit also excludes confidential business information (CBI) data2
and, to the extent permitted by the Biennial Report data submissions, hazardous wastes managed exclusively
in units exempt from RCRA permitting requirements. Such wastes are mostly wastewaters treated in tanks
and discharged to a Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (POTW) or to surface water under a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit In cases where it was difficult to determine from '
the generator's submission to the BRS Whether the waste was managed in a RCRA-regulated or RCRA-
exempt process, the waste was assumed to be RCRA-regulated.
Of the approximately 289 million tons of total RCRA hazardous waste generated in 1991,246
million tons were primary hazardous waste. Exhibit 2-1 presents the proportion of these 246 million tons of
primary hazardous waste generated by various industries. As shown in Exhibit 2-1, manufacturers of
Chemicals and Allied Products (SIC 28) are responsible for 53.4 percent, or 131.4 million tons, of all primary
hazardous waste generation. Within this industry, over 50 percent is generated in Industrial Organic
Chemicals manufacturing (SIC 2869) and another 30 percent is generated in the manufacture of Agricultural
Chemicals Not Elsewhere Classified (SIC 2879).
The Petroleum Refining and Coal Products (SIC 29) industry is responsible for slightly more than 92
million tons, representing 37.6 percent, of total primary waste generation. Within this industry, Petroleum
Refining (SIC 2911) generates 99.9 percent of this waste.
1 Although "primary waste" excludes residuals from hazardous waste treatment practices, it does not
exclude residuals resulting from treatment mandated by other statutes, such as the Clean Air Act. Thus,
RCRA primary hazardous wastes may increase as a result of the implementation of other statutes.
2 ",..[T]rade secrecy and other related legal concepts...may give...a business the right to preserve the
confidentiality of business information and to limit its use or disclosure by others in order that the business
may obtain or retain business advantages is derives from its rights in the information" (40 CFR Part 2
SubpartB).
2-2
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Exhibit 2-1
Subtitle G Indicator No. 1 A. Quantities Of Primary Hazardous Waste
Generated in 1991, By SIC Code
Waste Generation Quantities Include Primary Waste Only
Chemicals and Allied Products (SIC 28) 131.4 Million Tons, 53,4%
Petroleum Refining (SIC 29) 924 Million Tons, 37.6%
Electronics (SIC 36) 4.7 Million Tons, 1.9%
Transportation Equipment (SIC 37) 4.3 Million Tons, 1.8%
Primary Metals (SIC 33) 3.5 Million Tons, 1.4%
Fabricated Metals (SIC 34) 3.3 Million Tons, 1.3%
Other Industry 6.4 Million Tons, 2.6%
1991 Primary Hazardous Waste Quantity = 246 Million Tons
Source: 1991 Biennial Reporting System
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Other industrial sectors that generate one percent or more of the nation's primary hazardous waste
are: ; ,
Electronic and Other Electric Equipment (SIC 36) -1.9 percent (predominantly
semiconductors and related devices); f,
Transportation Equipment (SIC 37) -1.8 percent (mostly aircraft engines and equipment);
Primary Metals Industries (SIC 33) -1.4 percent (led by blast furnaces and non-ferrous
industries not elsewhere classified); and
Fabricated Metal Products Except Machinery and Transportation Equipment (SIC 34) - 1.3
percent (primarily plating and polishing and small arms ammunition).
The remaining industries generate 2.6 percent of the primary hazardous waste and have been collapsed into
the "Other Industry" category.
1B- Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Quantities of PrimaryHayardous Waste Generated. By SIC
Code
Exhibit 2-2 compares the quantity of primary RCRA hazardous waste generated in 1991 with the
quantity generated in 1989. The exhibit also shows, for 1991, the proportion of total waste generated that is
newly regulated hazardous waste.
Newly regulated hazardous waste refers to solid waste that is brought into the RCRA Subtitle C
domain through the promulgation of regulations, as authorized under RCRA. Defining additional solid
wastes as hazardous can result in an apparent increase in total, hazardous waste volumes, even when volumes
of previously regulated hazardous waste are actually decreasing. Between the 1989 and the 1991 BRS
reports, EPA brought six previously unregulated wastes under Subtitle C regulatory control and changed the
designation of a seventh waste type. See Appendix D for a discussion of the seven wastes that became
subject to regulation under RCRA Subtitle C between 1989 and 1991.
The total quantity of primary RCRA hazardous waste generated in 1991 (246 million tons) was 81.8
million tons more than the 164.2 million tons generated in 1989, representing an increase of 50 percent
Generation of newly regulated waste accounted for almost 50 percent of total primary waste generation in
1991. Primary waste generation actually would have decreased 25 percent if newly regulated wastes were not
included.
However, the majority of newly regulated waste is generated in only two of the top six industries:
Over 99 percent of newly regulated waste was generated by Petroleum Refining and Coal
Products (SIC 29) and Chemicals and Allied Products (SIC 28). These industrial sectors
generated 71.3 percent and 28.3 percent, respectively, of newly regulated waste. In fact, 71
percent (87.3 million tons) can be attributed solely to Petroleum Refining (SIC 2911).
2-4
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Exhibit 2-2
Subtitle C Indicator No. 1B. Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Quantities
of Primary Hazardous Waste Generated, By SIC Code
1989 Total Generation
= 164 Million Tons
1991 Previously Regulated
Waste =124 Million Tons
1991 Newly Regulated
Waste = 122 Million Tons
(1991 Total Generation = 246 Million Tons)
SIC Code
28
Source: 1989 and 1991 Biennial Reporting Systems
. a?«teb? ^f di^rrn* *?"" ^ 1989 data Presented in the April 1993 RCRA Environmental Indicators report
, .. -tu accurate due to additional quality assurance/quality control procedures performed on the databa«5P
subsequent to the prev.ous report. In addition, this exhibit excludes CBI data, which were included in the eaSport
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Waste generated by Petroleum Refining and Coal Products (SIC 29) increased 14 times from
6.6 million tons to 92.4 million tons. Without newly regulated waste, waste generation by
this industry would have actually decreased 23 percent.
Primary waste generated by Chemicals and Allied Products (SIC 28) decreased 9.9 million
tons, or 7 percent Newly regulated waste accounts for 25 percent of this waste. Without
newly regulated waste, primary .waste generation in this industry would have been 44.6
million tons, representing a decrease of 32 percent.
These two industries are, in general, generating less waste. However, more of the waste that they generate is
now considered hazardous.
The remaining four industries were not significantly affected by generation of newly regulated waste.
Waste generated by the Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Transportation
Equipment (SIC 34), industry decreased almost 16 percent, or 600,000 tons. Newly
regulated waste accounts for only 0.18 percent of this industry's primary waste generation.
Electronics and Other Electric Equipment (SIC 36) increased its waste generation 14 percent
to 4.7 million tons. However, newly regulated waste accounts for only 0.4 percent of this
quantity.
Waste generation increased 50 percent, or 1.4 million tons, in the Transportation Equipment
(SIC 37) industry. Less than 0.1 percent of this waste is newly regulated.
Primary Metal Industries (SIC 33) increased their waste generation by almost 30 percent to
about 2.8 million tons. Newly regulated waste accounts for only 0.3 percent of this
industry's primary waste generation.
, non The t0p Sk mdustries>in teims of quantity of waste generated, are the same in 1991 as they were in
1989, except that Fabricated Metals (SIC 34) dropped from fourth to sixth. These six industries also account
for a similar proportion of the total primary .waste generated (97.4 percent in 1991 and 98.6 percent in 1989).
2A. Quantities of Hazardous Wastewater and Non-wastewater Generated in 1991. By SIC Code
Data from the 1991 BRS, presented in Exhibit 2-3, show that 97.2 percent of the primary hazardous
wastes shown in Exhibit 2-1 are wastewaters.3 The remaining wastes are non-wastewater (i e sludges and
solids), and comprise 2.8 percent of all primary wastes generated. Waste generation is broken out into
wastewater and non-wastewater to better monitor the types of waste generation changes that might occur As
above, this indicator reports only primary waste and excludes CBI data and, to the extent permitted by the
data submissions, hazardous wastes managed exclusively in units exempt from RCRA permitting
requirements
Wastewaters are defined in the October 1992 BRS Core Exception and Verification Report Technical
Instructions as hazardous waste whose form codes indicate aqueous waste, scrubber water or leachate or
whose system type codes indicate aqueous treatment, underground injection, direct discharge to sewer 'or
direct discharge to surface water. . , '
2-6
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Exhibit 2-3 also shows the distribution of non-wastewatergeneration among industries The
Chemicals and Allied Products industry (SIC 28) dominates non-wastewater generation (42.7 percent), but
not as dramatically as it does total primary waste generation. Non-wastewater'generatioh in the Chemicals
, and Allied Products industry is led by the manufacturing of industriai organic and inorganic chemicals; The
second largest generator of non-wastewaters is Primary Metal Industries (SIC 33), which is responsible for
17.1 percent of all non-wastewater generation (primarily blast furnaces). Other industries that generate
relatively high quantities of non-wastewaters are Petroleum Refining and Coal Products (SIC 291 and
Fabricated Metals (SIC 33). , , :
2B.
Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Generated Quantities of Hazardous Non-wastewater,
Code .
SIC
Exhibit 2-4 compares the quantity of non-wastewater generated in 1991 with the quantity generated
in 1989. The exhibit also shows, for 1991, the proportion of total non-wastewater generated that is newly
regulated as hazardous. See Appendix D for a discussion of newly regulated wastes, i.e., wastes that became
subject to regulation under RCRA Subtitle C between 1989 and 1991.
- The total amount ofRCRA hazardous non-wastewatergenerated in1991 (almost 7.4 million tons)
was 2.8 million tons more than the 4.6 million tons generated .in 1989, for an increase of 60 percent. Unlike
total primary waste generation, this increase is not attributable to newly regulated waste, which is responsible
for only 6 percent of total non-wastewater generation in 1991, Therefore, generation of non-wastewater has
on average, increased. ' - '
In analyzing the changes between non-wastewater generated in 1989 and previously regulated and
newly regulated non-wastewater generated in 1991, the data indicate the following:
The majority of newly regulated non-wastewater was from Petroleum Refining and Coal
Products (SIC 29) and Chemicals and Allied Pr6duets (SIC 28). These industries accounted.
for 63.3 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively, of newly regulated non-wastewater. In fact,
63 percent (298,000 tons) ;can be attributed solely to Petroleum Refining (SIC 2911).
The categories in which newly regulated non-wastewater accounted for the majority of non-
wastewater generation were Pipelines, Except Natural Gas (SIC. 46) and Water Transport
(SIC 44). Newly regulated non-wastewaters accounted for 90 percent and 75 percent of
these categories, respectively. However, these categories together accounted for only 0.3
percent of total non-wastewater generation.
2-7
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Exhibit 2-3
Subtitle C Indicator No. 2A. Quantities of Hazardous
Wastewater and Non-wastewater Generated in 1991,
By SIC Code
Waste Generation Quantities Include Primary Waste Only
Hazardous Wastewater
239 Million Tons, 97.2%
Hazardous Non-wastewater
7 Million Tons, 2.8%
1991 Total Quantity = 246 Million Tons
Chemical and Allied Products (SIC 28)
3.1 Million Tons, 42.7%
Primary Metals (SIC 33) '
1.3 Million Tons, 17.1%
Petroleum Refining (SIC 29)
0.7 Million Tons, 9.0%
Fabricated Metals (SIC 34).
0.6 Million Tons, 8.7%
Electronics (SIC 36)
0.3 Million Tons, 4.3%
1991 Non-wastewater Quantity = 7 Million tons
Transportation Equipment (SIC 37)
0.2 Million Tons, 3.1%
Other Industry
1.1 Million Tons, 15.1%
Source: 1991 Biennial Reporting System
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Exhibit2-4
Subtitle C Indicator No. 2B. Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Generated
Quantities of Hazardous Non-wastewater, By SIC Code
1989 Total Non-wastewater
Quantity = 4.6 Million Tons
1991 Previously Regulated Non-
wastewater = 6.9 Million Tons
1991 Newly Regulated Non-
wastewater = 0.5 Million Tons
(1991 Total Non-wastewater = 7.4 Million Tons)
28
Others
SIGCode
Source: 1989 and 1991 Biennial Report Systems -
Note: The 1989 data presented in this exhibit are different from the 1989 data presented in the April 1993 RCRA Environmental Indicators reoort
- The data presented here are more accurate due to'additional quality assurance/quality control procedures pttfoYmed oni he dStaS?
subsequent to the prev.ous report. Ip addition, this exhibit excludes CBI «Ua, which were Indud^fteeSE^pbrt
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Between 1989 and 1991, hazardous non-wastewater generation increased in all of the top six
industries. None of these increases is attributable to newly regulated waste.
Non-wastewater generated by Chemicals and Allied Products (SIC 28) increased 1.3 million
tons, or 71 percent. Newly regulated non-wastewaters account for ordy 2.2 percent of this
waste.
Primary Metal Industries (SIC 33) increased their non-wastewater generation by about 25
percent to 1.26 million tons. However, only 0.5 percent of this waste is newly regulated.
Non-wastewater generated by Petroleum Refining and Coal Products (SIC 29) increased
more than three times to 665,000 tons. Although 45 percent of this waste is newly
regulated, this industry's generation would have increased 76 percent, even with only
previously regulated waste.
Non-wastewater generated by the Fabricated Metal Products (SIC 34) industry increased 63
percent, or 246,000 tons. Only 0.8 of this waste is newly regulated.
Electronics and Other Electric Equipment (SIC 36) increased its non-wastewater generation
77 percent to 320,000 tons. Newly regulated non-wastewater accounts for six percent of
this quantity.
l
Non-wastewater generation increased 17 percent, or 32,000 tons, in the Transportation
Equipment (SIC 37) industry. Only one. percent of this waste is newly regulated non-
wastewater.
The top six industries, in terms of quantity of non-wastewater generated, are the same in 1991 as
they were in 1989, except that Fabricated Metals (SIC 34) rose from fourth to third and Electronic and Other
Electrical Equipment (SIC 36) rose from sixth to fifth. These six industries account for a similar proportion
of the total non-wastewater generated (85 percent in 1991 and 79 percent in 1989).
3A- Trends in the Recycling/Recovery of RCRA Hazardous Waste. 1985 to 1991
Data from the 1985 through 1991 BRS, displayed in Exhibit 2-5, show trends in the
recovery/recycling of RCRA hazardouswaste overtime. The 1989 and 1991 numbers are considered more
reliable than the earlier years because of quality assurance/quality control measures implemented by OSW.
Unlike the other Subtitle C indicators presented in this chapter, this indicator is based on data for waste
quantities managed rather than quantities generated, and includes both primary and secondary wastes.
The data indicate that the proportion of hazardous waste managed through recovery/recycling has
increased steadily overtime, from 0.2 percent in 1985 to 3 percent in 1991. As a percentage of overall waste
managed, though, the proportion recovered is quite small. It is important to note that because many recycling
units are exempt from RCRA permitting requirements, and therefore not included in these numbers, it is
likely that a significantly larger proportion of hazardous waste is recycled than reflected here. As shown in
indicator 3B, recycling rates are much higher for non-wastewaters than for wastewaters.
2-10
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Exhibit 2-5.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 3A. Trends in the Recycling/Recovery of
RCRA Hazardous Waste, 1985-1991*
Percentages Include Both Primary and Secondary Waste
3.5
°> ,
o
0)
a:
2.5
TJ -
0)
O)
[S 2
CD
CD i c
4-2 1.O
CO
CO
o '
"c
" 0.5
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3B.
Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Recycling/Recovery of Hazardous Wastewater and Non-
wastewater
Exhibit 2-6 shows, for 1989 and 1991, the percentage of hazardous wastewater and non-wastewater
that was managed by recovery/recycling. As the exhibit indicates, recycling/recovery ©^hazardous
wastewater was a very small percentage of total hazardous wastewater management; however, between 1989
and 1991 the percentage did increase slightly to around 1 percent In contrast, recycling/recovery of
hazardous non-wastewater. accounts for a large proportion of non-wastewater management, increasing from
around 30 percent in 1989 to almost half of non-wastewater managed in 199i.
Subtitle D Indicators
1.
Trends in Total Municipal Solid, Waste Generation. 1960 to 1993
The nation's generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) has increased steadily over time, from 88
million tons in 1960 to.207 million tons in 1993 (Exhibit 2-7). Exhibit 2-7 shows that waste generation
actually decreased slightly from 1990 to 1991, but increased in 1992 and 1993, continuing the upward trend.
Factors that may contribute to increases in waste generation include increased population size and increased
economic activity. Both population levels and economic activity levels (as indicated by Gross Domestic
Product) correlate significantly with MSW generation (EPA, 1994).
2- Trends in Per Capita Municipal Solid Waste Generation. 1960 to 1993
To remove the population growth effect on MSW generation, it is useful to evaluate per capita
generation. As illustrated in Exhibit 2-8 (EPA, 1994), per capita waste generation increased steadily from
1960 to 1990, but remained fairly level from 1990 to 1993. From 1960 to 1990, per capita MSW .generation
increased at a slower rate than total generation, indicating that past trends toward higher total MSW
generation rates are attributable to population growth as well as increases in per capita waste generation.
From 1990 to 1993, per capita waste generation increased only very slightly-from 4.35 to 4.39 pounds per
person per day. This may be due, at least in part, to source reduction measures, particularly efforts to keep
yard trimmings out of the waste stream by backyard composting and leaving grass clippings on lawns (EPA,
1994). EPA's current goal for per capita waste generation is 4.3 pounds per day (EPA, 1995).
2-12
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Exhibit2-6.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 3B. Comparison of 1989 and 1991 Recycling/
Recovery of Hazardous Wastewaster and Non-wastewater*
Percentages Include Both Primary and Secondary Waste
, 60
fc 50
0)
T3
0)
D>
(0
C
co
o>
(D
(0
40
30
20
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Exhibit 2-7.
Subtitle D Indicator No. 1. Trends in Total Municipal
Solid Waste Generation, 1960-1993
220
1960
1970
1980
1990 1993
Year
Sources: EPA, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1992 Update
EPA, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1994 Update.
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Exhibit 2-8.
Subtitle D Indicator No. 2. Trends in Per Capita Municipal
Solid Waste Generation, 1960-1993
Nationwide goal
1960
1970
1980
1990
Year
Source: EPA, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1994 Update.
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3- Trends in the Recovery of Municipal Solid Waste for Recycling (Including Composting').
1960 to 1993
The amount of waste materials recovered (through the collection of recyclables4) has increased
steadily over time in the U.S. (Exhibit 2-9). Less than 7 percent of this country's waste was recovered in
1960, compared to 22 percent in 1993. EPA's current goal for the nation is 30 percent (EPA, 1995). From
1990 to 1993 the increase in materials recovery was particularly dramatic-from 38 million tons per year to
45 million tons per year. Materials recovered are comprised mainly of paper and paperboard (59 percent in
1993), yard trimmings (14 percent), metals (12 percent), and glass (8 percent) (EPA, 1994). While overall
recovery of plastics for recycling is relatively small, recovery of some plastic containers (e.g., PET, HDPE) is
steadily increasing. .
4 The recyclables measured here include only wastes that first enters the waste stream, and then are
recycled or composted. Materials that are reused at home or yard trimmings that are backyard composted or
grass clippings that are left on the lawn are not included. .
2-16 .
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Exhibit 2-9.
Subtitle D Indicator No. 3. Trends in the Recovery of Municipal
Solid Waste for Recycling (Including Composting), 1960-1993
. 35
30
"O
.2 g> 25
If2"
9? -^ 1«5
O ^^ '
<5 co
^ S 10
i
L
1960
21
22
19
17
/
1
10
1
J L
1970
I
Nationwide goal
Composting
Other Recycling
1980
1990 1995
Year
Source: EPA, Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in toe United States: 1994 Update,.
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SAFE MANAGEMENT INDICATORS
CHAPTERS
Four safe management indicators are being reported in this chapter, two for hazardous wastes and
two for municipal solid wastes. ,
Subtitle C Indicators: ' , i
. * Subtitle C Indicator No. 1 A. Quantities of Hazardous Waste Managed at Subtitle C
Facilities in 1991, By .Management Practice
* 'Subtitle C Indicator No. 1B. Comparison of Hazardous Waste Managed at Subtitle C
Facilities in 1989 and 1991, By Management Practice \
'- Subtitle G Indicator No. 2 A. Number of Class I Violations Found at the Last Inspection
DL^TL i 990-1991, By Number of Facilities and Volume of Waste
* Subtitle C Indicator No. 2B. Comparison of Class I Violations Found at the Last
Inspections in 1988-1989 and 1990-1991, By Percent of Facilities and Percent of Waste
Subtitle D Indicators: . :
"." Subtitle D Indicator No- 1. Municipal Solid Waste Management Trends, 1960 to 1993.
.'* Subtitle D Indicator No ?.. Trends ,in the Number of Household Hazardous Waste '
Collection Programs, 1980 to 1993, ,
Subtitle C Indicators ,
1A- Quantities of Hazardous Waste Managed At Subtitle G Facilities in 1991. By Ma
Practice :. . : .
+ c u f^113"1 shows the management practices used for 277 million tons of hazardous.waste managed
M Subtitle Ctreatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities in 1991. The data were derived from the 1991
BRS Reporting Database. The quantity of waste reported as "managed" in.this exhibit is greater than the
amount reported as "generated" in Chapter 2 because the quantity managed includes both primary and
secondary wastes. As inChapter 2, this exhibit excludes CBI data and (to the extent Dermitted by the data
3-1
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Exhibit 3-1
Subtitle C Indicator No. 1 A. Quantities of Hazardous Waste Managed
at Subtitle C Facilities in 1991, By Management Practice
Wastewater Treatment 77%, 213 Million Tons
Other Treatment 10%, 28 Million Tons
Underground Injection 8%, 23 Million Tons
Recycling/Recovery 3%, 8 Million Tons
Land Disposal Other Than Underground Injection 1%, 3 Million Tons
Incineration .
total Hazardous Waste Managed = 277 Million Tons
Source: 1991 Biennial Reporting System
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submissions) hazardous wastes managed exclusively in units exempt from RCRA peimitting requirements.
Such wastes are mostly wastewaterstreated in tanks and discharged to a Publicly-Owned Treatment Works
(POTW) or to surface water under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. .In-
cases where it was difficult to determine from the information submitted whether the waste was manageo in- a
RCRA-regulated or RCRA-exempt process, the waste was assumed to be RCRA-regulated.
As shown inExhibit 3-.1, the majority of wastes managed in 1991 (77 percent) were treated using
wastewater treatment processes. The top five wastewater treatment,systems were:
Biological treatment (approximately-.119 million tons, or 56 percent of the waste managed in
wastewater treatment systems). J , '.
Chemical precipitation in combination with biological treatment (about 60 million tons, or
28 percent).
Other organic/inorganic treatment (about 14 million tons, or six percent). - ,
Unknown aqueous organic treatment (about 8 million tons, or four percent)
Chemical precipitation (approximately 5 million tons, or two percent).
Other management types used in 1991 were:
."Other Treatment" accounted for 10 percent of wastes managed in 1991. This category.
includes processes such as neutralization, sludge dewatering, and stabilization.
. Recovery,and recycling accounted for about three percent (7.6 milliontons) of thehazardous
waste managed in 1991. The top two recovery categories were
Solvents recovery (3.6 million tons); and ' "-'
- Energy recovery (1.5 million tons).
Over ninepercent of hazardous wastes (26 million tons) were land disposed in 1991. Most
of this waste (23 million tons, or eight percent) was disposed in underground injection wells,
while the other 3 million tons (one percent>were disposed in landfills, land application units'
and surface impoundments.2 .
About 1.7 million tons of waste (less than one percent) were managed by incineration in
1991. The majority of incinerated wastes (about 1.4 million tons) were liquids.
In the BRS, the "surface impoundment" system code applies only to surface impoundments that will eventually be
closed as landfills, i.e., with accumulated sludges in place. Wastes that are placed in surface impoundments that:are '
dreo,. / .eriodically and that remove wastes before closing are not included among the quantities reported as land
dispviviu These wastes are typically reported under the wastewater treatment system codes.
' ' . " ' - 3-3 ''.'''"..' '; . '. ' ' -
-------
IB. Comparison
Management Practice
Waste Managed at Subtitle C Facilities in 1989 and 1-991. B>
Exhibit 3-2 compares the quantity of hazardous waste managed in 1989 with the quantity managed
in 1991. The exhibit also shows, for 1991, the proportion of total waste managed thaMs newly regulated
hazardous waste. See Appendix D for a discussion of newly regulated wastes, i.e., wastes that became
subject to regulation under RCRA Subtitle C between 1989 and 1991.
The total amount of hazardous waste managed in 1991 (277 million tons) was 57 million tons more
than the 220 million tons managed in 1989, representing an increase of 25 percent Newly regulated waste
accounted for 52 percent of total waste managed.- ,
In analyzing the changes between waste managed in 1989 and previously regulated and newly
regulated waste managed in 1991, by management type, the data indicate the following:
Wastewater treatment increased 38 percent from 154 million tons to 213 million tons. This
increase was due to management of newly regulated wastewaters, which accounted for 62
percent of the waste managed by wastewater treatment If newly regulated waste was not
included, wastewater treatment actually would have decreased 48 percent Nearly 90 percent
of newly regulated waste managed by wastewater treatment was managed by aqueous
organic treatment Waste managed by this treatment type increased more than 100 percent,
88 percent of which was newly regulated.
The category "Other Treatment" increased slightly (two percent) from 27 million tons to 28
million tons. Newly regulated waste accounted for 29 percent of waste managed in this
category. If newly regulated wastes were not included, management in Other Treatment
would actually have decreased 28 percent
Land disposal other than underground injection wells decreased by 43 percent from 5.4
million tons to 3.1 million tons. Newly regulated waste accounted for 32 percent of this
category. Without including newly regulated waste, management by land disposal would
have decreased 61 percent.
The remaining types of management were not significantly affected by the management of newlv
rl vuacto' . ''..
regulated waste:
Recycling/recovery increased 85 percent from 4.1 million tons to 7.6 million tons. Only 2.9
percent of this quantity was newly regulated waste.
Solvents recovery increased 780 percent to 3.6 million tons; and
Metals recovery decreased 44 percent to 760,000 tons.
3-4
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Exhibit3-2
Subtitle C Indicator No. IB. Comparison of Hazardous Waste Managed at
Subtitle C Facilities in 1989 and 1991, By Management Practice
250
1989 Total Managed =
220 Million Tons
1991 Previously Regulated Waste
Managed = 133 Million Tons ;
1991 Newly Regulated Waste
Managed = 144 Million tons
(1991 Total Managed = 277 Million Tons)
1.2 1,7
Wastewater Treatment Other Treatment
Underground Injection
Recycling/Recovery Land Disposal Other than
Underground Injection
Incineration
Management Practice
Source: 1989 and 1991 Biennial Reporting Systems
Th°peH J?nrlSntitho^SenN '" thls ?xjib'1 a? dil£*n* ^?m {he 1989 data presented in the April 1993 RCRA Environmental Indicators report.
The data presented here are more accurate due to additional quality assurance/quality control procedures performed on the database
subsequent to the previous report. In addition, this exhibit excludes CBI data, which were included in the earlier report
-------
2A.
However, because many recycling units are exempt from RCRA permitting requirements,
and therefore not included in this report, it is possible that a larger proportion of newly
regulated waste is recycled in exempt units.
Incineration increased by 42 percent from 1.2 million tons to 1.7 million tons. Only four
percent of this waste was newly regulated.
Underground injection decreased 18 percent from 28 million tons to 23 million tons. Newly
regulated wastes accounted for six percent of the waste managed in this category.
Number of Class I Violations Found at the Last Inspection During 1990-1991. by Number
of Facilities and Volume of Waste
The RCRA program conducts inspections of hazardous waste generators, transporters, and '
treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) to determine whether they are in compliance with
applicable regulations. EPA tracks the occurrence and severity of violations discovered during these
inspections and uses this information for enforcement purposes.. .
The most serious violations are called Class I. The definition of a Class I violation has evolved over
time, but in 1989 (the first year for reporting this indicator) a Class I violation was defined as "A violation
that results in a failure to: assure that hazardous -waste is destined for and delivered to authorized
TSDFs; prevent releases of hazardous waste or constituents, both during the active and any applicable
post-closure periods of the facility operation where appropriate; assure early detection of such a release;
or perform emergency clean-up operation or other corrective action for release. 'a
Class I violations can be physical or administrative. While any Class I violation could result in a
potentially environmentally threatening situation4, the occurrence of such a violation does not necessarily
mean that waste is not being managed safely. For this indicator, the absence of Class I violations at an
inspected treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF) is being used to indicate that the facility's wastes
are being managed "safely." There are several important caveats associated with using compliance
information in this way; they are listed at the end of this section.
Exhibit 3^3 presents information on the occurrence of Class I violations at RCRA hazardous waste
TSDFs. Data on waste quantities were derived from the 1991 BRS and include all hazardous waste managed
in units subject to RCRA permitting. Data on the number of Class I violations were drawn from the results of
facility inspections recorded in RCRIS for fiscal years 1990 to 1991. Thus, the universe of facilities shown
3 U.S. EPA. Enforcement Response Policy. December 1987.
4 Even an administrative violation can be environmentally threatening, for example, if it precludes an
inspector from determining whether a facility is in compliance with permit conditions.
3-6
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Exhibit 3-3.
" '- . . ' ~"~ - . !.
Subtitle C Indicator No, 2A. Number of Class I Violations Found at the Last Inspection
During 1990-1991, By Number of Facilities and Volume of Waste
0 Class I Violations 43.1%
1,654 TSDFs
More than 2
Glass I Violations 6.4%
247 TSDFs
2 Class I Violations 3.7%
142 TSDFs
1 Class I Violation 9.9%
382 TSDFs
Not Inspected 36.9%
-'. 1,420 TSDFs
0 Class I Violations 70.6%
195.3 Million Tons
Not Inspected 1.5%
4.2 Million Tons
1 Class I Violation 5.4%
15.0 Million Tons
2 Class I Violations " %
17.1
More than 2 Class 1 Violations 16.3%
" 45.0 Million Tons
Number of TSDFs
(3,845 Total)
Tons of Waste Managed at TSDFs
(277 Million Jons Total)
.Universe is limited to TSDFs that submitted a 1991 Biennial Report Form.
Some TSDFs are not included because of Confidential Business Information (CBI).
Sources: 1991 Biennial Reporting System
.Resource Conversation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS), 1994.
-------
in Exhibit 3-3 is limited to TSDFs that submitted a 1991 Biennial Report form. The classification of
facilities as TSDFs is based on 1991BRS data.
Exhibit 3-3 shows the number and percent of TSDFs that were found to have zero, one, two, or more
than two Class I violations during the last inspection. It is based on 3,845 TSDFs that
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Exhibit 3-4a.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 2B. Comparison of Class I Violations Found At The Last Inspection
During 1988-1989 and 1990-1991, By Percent of Facilities
W
0)
o
CO
LL.
CD
2
0)
Q-
40 -
20
Not Inspected
0 Violations 1 Violation 2 Violations
1988-1989 1990-1991
>2 Violations-
Sources: 1991 Biennial Reporting System
Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS), 1994.
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Exhibit 3-4b.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 2B. Comparison of Class I Violation Found At The Last Inspection
During 1988-1989 and 1990-1991, By Percent of Waste
V)
CO
o>
£>
0)
QL
100
80
60
40
20
Not Inspected 0 Violations 1 Violation 2 Violations >2 Violations
1888-198S B 1S90-1991
Sources: 1991 Biennial Reporting System
Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS), 1994.
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However, in 1990-1991, a higher proportion of waste was managed at facilities with two or more Qlass I
violations. In the 1990-1991 inspection period, the percent of waste managed at facilities withConly one Class
I violation decreased substantially; the percent managed at facilities with two violations increased, and the
percent managed at facilities with more than two violations increased significantly.
Subtitle D Indicators
1.
Municipal Solid Waste Management Trends. 1960 > 1993
While generation rates of MSW have been increasing over time, trends in the proportion managed by
different methods Have varied over the past 33 years (Exhibit 3-5). The proportion of MSW incinerated
declined from 1960 through 1985, but began rising thereafter as incinerators were built to recover energy and
comply with air pollution standards. Th« proportion landfilled increased throughout that time, but began to
decrease in the mid-1980s as combustion and recycling increased in popularity.
'''' : : . "'...":' ' ' ' " . _ ) . ' ,
By 1990,67 percent of the waste stream was managed by landfilling, 17 percent by recovery, and 16
percent by combustion. For the next three years (1990 to 19.93), MSW combustion neither increased nor
decreased, remaining steady at around 16 percent of the total waste stream. The proportion of waste
landfilled continued to decline during this three-year period, but at a slower rate than during the previous five
years. This decrease was due almost entirely to an increase in recycling. Recycling, including composting, as
a percentage of total MSW continued to increase at an accelerating rate from 1990 (17 percent) to 1993 (22
percent). Of the 4.4 pounds of MSW generated daily per capita in 1993, only 3.4 pounds were discarded
because of recycling (EPA, 1994).
2- Trends in the Number of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs. 1980 to 1993
An increase in household hazardous waste (HHW) collection programs can be interpreted as an
indicator of increased interest by local communities in reducing the toxicity of their municipal solid waste
As discussed in the April 1993 Environmental Indicators Report the number of HHW collection programs
reported by the Waste Watch Center6 grew dramatically from 1980 to 1900, from 2 programs in 1980 to 859
in 1990 (Exhibit 3-6a). A drop in the number of programs from 1990.to.1991. was. the result of communities
switching from a few one-day collection programs a year to permanent facilities. By 1992, the total number
of programs had risen again, followed by a sharp increase in 1993. As Exhibit 3-6b illustrates, the number of
permanent facilities has increased more and more rapidly during the last 13 years, reaching 172 facilities in
1993. '
6 The Waste Watch Center is a non-profit organization devoted to educational projects in the areas of
solid, hazardous, and household hazardous waste management; reduction, reuse, and recycling; and pollution
prevention. EPA provided funding to the Waste Watch Center for the collection of the information that is
presented in this report.
- .'" " " ' ' "- ' 3-11 : ' :- '.''":"''"'''..'
-------
Exhibit 3-5.
Subtitle D Indicator No. 1. Municipal Solid Waste
Management Trends, 1960-1993
250
D Recovery for Recycling
I Combustion
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Exhibit 3-6a.
Subtitle D Indicator No. 2. Trends in the Number of
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs,
1980to1993
Includes one-day events and permanent facilities
Total Number of Programs Each Yeai
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
' ' .-''.
i - ~ ' ' -,'.-- f
- . /' .-/ :- '-....,. :' v^d--:
''':- , ' ' - :.-'-.>< :
- ^,,---v-^: ' V'X' ;. , ::.
': ' ^*- ^ '. ' , : .-
1981,, 1983- 1985 1987' 1989, 1991-1993
Year
Source: Waste Watch Center, December.,1993.
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Exhibit 3-6b.
f
Subtitle D Indicator No. 2 (cont). Trends in the Number of Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Programs, 1980-1993
Includes permanent facilities only
200
150
100
50
0
1983
1985
1987 1989 1991
Year
1993
Programs are included only during year of operation.
Source: Waste Watch Center, December 1993.
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CORRECTIVE ACTION INDICATORS
CHAPTER 4
Two indicators are being reported for corrective action: <
! ' . ' ,''- ' '.-.-''
Subtitle C Indicator No. 1A. Status of Subtitle C Facilities in the Corrective Action Program
Subtitle G Indicator No. IB. Status of Siihtitte r. t'ariUt;^ In th» ^orrective Action Program
* Subtitle C Indicator No. 2. Niimberof Subtitle C Facilities Conducting'Investigations and
Controlling Releases, by Priority Ranking
In addition, two new corrective action Subtitle C indicators have been developed and are expected to
be reported by the end of FY 1997: ,
Subtitle C Indicator No. 3. Number of Determinations of Human Exposures Controlled at
RCRA Facilities, . :
* . Subtitle C Indicator No. 4. Number of Determinations of Groundwater Releases Controlled
at RCRA Facilities. . v
! Status of Subtitle C Facilities in the Corrective Action Program '
Exhibit 4-1 shows the 1995 status of RCRA TSDFs in the Subtitle C corrective action program It is
based on data from RCRIS (September 19,1995) for all 56 States and.territqries. Three general stages of the
corrective action process are shown:
i. Assessments: The RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA) is a general assessment of the site and
an important step in identifying potential problems (e.g., contaminant releases)/ EPA (alon^
with States and territories) has completed RFAs for all facilities rep'orted in this category. &
ii. Investigations^. The RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) is"a more detailed study of sites that
may^^be of concern, and^^tthe Corrective Measures Study (CMS) is a study of actions mat may
be taken to respond^to environmental problems identified at the site. Facilities placedIn this
category have begun or completed an RFI or a CMS. '
i"- Remedial Actions to Control Releases: Facilities placed in this category have initiated or
completed remedial actions to address environmental problems. These actions include
4-1
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Exhibit 4-1.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 1A. Status of Subtitle C Facilities
In the Corrective Action Program
Program Inception Through FY1994
Assessments
2,864 Facilities of a
Total 3,853 Facilities
Have Been
Assessed (74%)
Investigations
43% of Facilities Assessed
(32% of the Total)
Have Begun or
Completed Investigation
(1,235 Facilities)
Controlling Contaminant Releases
19% of Facilities Assessed
(14% of the Total)
Are Controlling .
Contaminant Releases
(539 Facilities)
Facilities include only Subtitle C treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs).
Source: Resource Conversation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS), National Oversight.Database, September 19,1995.
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stabilization measures (near-term risk reduction, actions typically taken in the early phases of the corrective
action process) and long-term cleanup activities. ' "
Of the 3,853 TSDFs subject to Subtitle C corrective action at the end of FY 1994,1 EPA has already
completed RFAs (i.e., has assessed problems) at 74 percent (2,864 facilities).2 EPA has already begun or
completed further investigation at 1,235 facilities, or 43, percent of those assessed. This shows significant
progress since 1992,' when investigations had been begun or completed for only 1,052 facilities.; In addition,
539 TSDFs have taken stabilization or cleanup actions in response to environmental problems considerably
more than in 1992 (304 facilities).
Exhibit 4-2 shows the trends in the number of RCRA facilities that have completed or begun (1)
investigations or (2) remedial actions to control contaminant releases (two stages of the corrective action
process defined above) for fiscal year 1990 to fiscal year 1994: The exhibit is based on September 19,1995
RCRIS data for all 56 states and territories. The exhibit indicates that'the number of facilities with
investigations begun or completed has increased from 798 facilities by fiscal year 19,90 tp 1,235 facilities by
fiscal year 1994. The number of facilities that have begun or completed remedial actions has also increased,
from 215 facilities by fiscal year 1990 to 539,facilities by .fiscal year 1994,
2.
Number:of Subtitle C Facilities Conducting Investigations and Controlling Releases
Priority Ranking . , .
By
, A fundamental strategy of the Subtitle C corrective action program is to address sites with the
greatest environmental and health risks first. The National Corrective Action Prioritization System (NCAPS)
was developed in 1991 to help the Agency prioritize corrective action at RCRA TSDFs. Using NCAPS, EPA
"scores" facilities based on environmental and health risks and ranks facilities as high, medium, or low '
priority based on these scores.3 " '- . .
Exhibit 4-3 shows the priority rankings of the 3,853 TSDFs subject to RCRA corrective action at the
end of FY 1994. This exhibit is based on September 19, 1995 RCRIS data and covers all 56 States and
territories. EPA has made.substantial progress in assigning priority rankings -to facilities in the last two
years; rankings have been assigned to 3,604 facilities, compared to 2,637 in 1992. About 41 percent of '
TSDFs (1,561 facilities) have been assigned highpridrity, 29 percent (1,110 facilities) medium priority and
24 percent (933 facilities) low priority. ' \
'The September 19, 1995 RCRIS data reports a lower number of RCRA TSDFs subject to Subtitle C
corrective action (3,853) than reported for 1992 in the April 1993 Environmental Indicators report (4,218).
This is due to quality control procedures performed on RCRIS subsequent to the previous report.
7 This is smaller than the number discussed in the 1993 Environmental Indicators report (3,519 of 4,218
fac^ties, or 83 percent) because the earlier report included assessments performed under the Superfund'
program. , .
3 NCAPS ranking is a separate process from the RCRA Facility Assessment process described in
corrective action indicator no. 1. . .
4-3
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Exhibit 4-2.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 1B (Cont.) Status of Subtitle C Facilities in Corrective Action Program
1,400
1,200
1,000
El Investigations
Remedial Actions to Control Releases
FY1990
or earlier
FY1991
or earlier
FY1992
or earlier
Year
FY 1993
or earlier
FY 1994
or earlier
Source:
Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS), September 19,1995.
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Exhibit4-3.
Priority Rankings of Subtitle C Facilities
3,853 Facilities Total
Low Priority 24%
933 Facilities
Unranked 6%
249 Facilities
Medium Priority 29%
1,110 Facilities
High Priority 41%
1,561 Facilities
Facilities include only Subtitle C'treatment, storage, and. disposal facilities (TSDFs),
"Unranked" also includes 10 facilities whose ranking is unknown.
Source: Resource Conversation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS) National Oversight Database,,
September 19,1995.
-------
Priority rankings are unavailable in RCRIS for 6 percent of TSDFs (249 facilities) because they have not yet
been ranked or their priority ranking has not yet been entered into RCRIS.
Exhibit 4-4 presents data for Subtitle C Indicator No. 2. It shows the number of facilities, by priority
ranking, in each of two stages of the corrective action process: investigations and number of remedial actions
to control contaminant releases. The data demonstrate that EPA is continuing to address the sites posing the
greatest threats first Since 1992, EPA has (1) conducted investigations at 86 additional high priority
facilities, 53 additional medium priority facilities, and 26 additional low priority facilities, and (2) taken
remedial actions to control contaminant releases at 177 additional high priority facilities, 48 additional
medium priority facilities, and 5 additional low priority facilities. Overall, EPA has taken action to control
contaminant releases at almost one-third of the high priority sites, one tenth of the medium priority sites, and
two percent of the low priority sites. Although only 41 percent of the 1995 universe of RCRA TSDFs have
high priority rankings, they comprise 76 percent of all sites at which stabilization measures have been taken
or cleanup actions have been conducted. '
New Indicators
The corrective action Subtitle C indicators 1 and 2 described above track process or administrative
events that infer an environmental result Since 1992, the corrective action program has made a significant
effort to develop additional environmental indicator definitions that will track the actual environmental result
of remediation activities.
Two new corrective action Subtitle C indicators have been developed and are expected to be reported
by the end of FY 1997: '
Subtitle C Indicator No. 3. Number of Determinations of Human Exposures Controlled at
RCRA Facilities.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 4. Number of Determinations of Groundwater Releases Controlled
at RCRA Facilities.
Two data codes were entered into RCRISm FY 1994: Determination of Human Exposures
Controlled and Determination of Groundwater Releases Controlled. The EPA Regions and States have just
begun evaluating facilities for these new indicators. The EPA has the goal of evaluating all facilities that are
currently undergoing corrective action by the end of FY 1997. These two results-based indicators will
become the key reporting elements for the corrective action program in the future.
4-6
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Exhibit 4-4.
Subtitle C Indicator No. 2. Number of Subtitle C Facilities Conducting
Investigations and Controlling Releases, By Priority Ranking
The Worst Sites are Being Addressed First
High Priority
Medium Priority
Low Priority
No Ranking
200 400
Number of Facilities
Type of Activity
Investigations
Controlling Releases
600
800
High, Medium, and Low Priority refer to the corrective action (NCAPS) rankingf the facility.
Facilities include only Subtitle C treatment, storage, and disposal facilitie£TSDFs).
Facilities may undergo more than one activity.
Source: Resource Conversation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS)National Oversight Database, September i9,1995.
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APPENDIX A
ACRONYMS
-------
-------
ACRONYMS
APPENDIX A
BDAT
BRS
CBI
,. CMS
EPA
FY
HHW
MSW
NCAPS
NPDES
OSW
POTW
RCKA
RCRIS
RFA
RFI
SIC
TSD
TSDF'
Best Demonstrated Available Technology
Biennial Reporting System .
Confidential Business Information
Corrective Measures Study
Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Year
Household Hazardous Waste
Municipal Solid Waste
National Corrective Action Prioritization System-
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Office of Solid Waste ,
Publicly-Owned Treatment Works
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System
RCRA Facility Assessment
RCRA Facility Investigation
Standard Indus^ial Classification .
Treatment, Storage, and Disposal
Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility
A-l
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-------
APPENDIX B
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS
-------
-------
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS
APPENDIX B
This appendix provides a brief introduction to environmental indicators and their role in
EPA programs. : . r>
WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATOR?
An environmental indicator is a measure of the quality of the environment and its ability to
support human and ecological health Any biological chemical and/or physical measurement that
describes environmental or public health conditions can be considered an environmental indicator
bnvironmental indicators also include measurements that do not describe environmental
conditions explicitly but do measure factors known to affect environmental quality Examples
include measures of pollutant loadings to air and quantities of solid waste disposed on land.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS?
Environmental indicators can be used to provide information on (1) environmental status
and trends and (2) the effectiveness of EPA programs in addressing environmental problems
Indicators can be usedtoassist in program planning and management, and to communicate with
Congress and the publicabout the quality of the environment and how it has been affected bv
EPA's programs. y
- Information on environmental status and trends is necessary to identify emerging
problems, assess their significance, and set priorities. One of the most important potential uses of
environmental mdicators is to assess the success of EPA programs. Data on environmental trends
can be used to determine whether a program's activities are bringing about intended improvements
in environmental quahty. When environmental indicators,are used to assess program performance
it is crucial to^establish a cause and-effect relationship between program activities and changes in '
environmental conditions, and to isolate program impacts from the influence of extraneous
factors. , . '
Some EPA programs already use environmental indicators to evaluate program
effectiveness; others have met with difficulties.in linking program success to changes in
environmentaLquality. The RCRA program is faced with a complex challenge in measuring .
program progress based on environmental results, since RCRA-regulated sites have localized
impacts on several media, and the cause-arid-effect relationship between program activities and
environmental changes is difficult to establish for,, some major RCRA program components.
INDICATORS "CONTINUUM"
As discussed above, environmental indicators may be used to assess the effectiveness of
EPA programs. Program progress also can beand historically has beenassessed by .
monitoring the activities of the Agency or me entities it regulates. EPA has identified a continuum
' " '
-------
of measures of environmental program effectiveness, shown in Exhibit B-l. At the left-hand side
of the exhibit are activity measures, which measure actions taken by EPA or the States, or by the
entities regulated by EPA or State programs. Examples of activity measures include the number of
permits issued to hazardous waste management facilities; the number of inspections conducted or
enforcement actions taken; and the number of sites at which groundwater monitoring systems
have been installed.
To the right are environmental indicators, which are more direct measures of
environmental quality. Those furthest to the right are direct measures of human health or
environmental endpoints, such as the incidence of disease or the abundance of a species of wildlife
in an area In the middle are measures of factors that contribute to human health or environmental
endpoints which are also considered "environmental indicators", but are not themselves measures
of those endpoints. Listed in decreasing order of their "directness" to actual endpoints are
measures which include: uptake or body burden (such as lead levels in human blood), ambient
conditions (such as concentrations of pollutants in groundwater near sites), and loadings or
emissions (such as pounds of pollutants released to surface water). In developing RCRA
environmental indicators, EPA will be working towards the right side of this continuum as data on
actual environmental trends become available. ' .
In the short term, the Agency will report more activity measures. Activity measures and
environmental indicators both play an important role in program management and evaluation, and
both are necessary. Activity measures provide a means for documenting Agency responses to
v legislative mandates and public pressure, both for internal purposes and for communications with
Congress and the public. They are used to support short-term program management activities
such as determining the amount of work completed and additional work needed to be done.
Because environmental results are sometimes not manifested for years or decades, activity
measures also provide a valuable record of actions taken to address environmental problems. The
major shortcoming of activity measures is that they do not tell us whether the actions taken have
had, or will have, the desired effect on environmental quality.
DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS
In addition to reporting changes in environmental status, environmental indicators can also
be used to measure progress toward specific environmental goals. The Agency has recently
developed, and disseminated for government agencies' review, an initial draft of long-range goals
for America's environment and measurable 10-year "benchmarks" (EPA's "Environmental Goals"
report).1 These cross-program environmental goals differ from EPA program-specific goals
because they are not confined to the scope of a particular mandate or statute, but reflect more
broad-based, cross-media concerns. The benchmarks represent what EPA believes can be
accomplished with existing federal legislation and current resources.
'EPA. 1995. "Proposed Environmental Goals for America With Benchmarks for the Year
2005, Summary." EPA-230-D-95-001. Policy, Planning, and Evaluation. February 1995.
B-2
-------
EXHIBIT
.
CONTINUUM OF MEASURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS
Activity Measures
W.
Environmental Indicators
:.-'S
are charged
.
-------
EPA will use the goals and benchmarks to develop long-range strategies and annui
performance plans. The performance plans will contain environmental indicators for eyaluatig
progress, and a report of progress to date. For cross-program goals that pertain to RCRA, OSW is
working to develop appropriate indicates to measure RCRA's contribution towards achieving those
goals. In fact, some of the indicators presented in the body of this report measure progress toward
certain year 2005 benchmarks presented in EPA's Environmental Goals report (e.g., per capk
generation of municipal solid waste; percent of municipal solid waste recovered for recycling D
composting, percent of hazardous waste treated prior to land placement).
B-4
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APPENDIX C
DISCUSSION OF DATA SOURCES
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DISCUSSION OF DATA SOURCES
APPENDIX C
This chapter briefly discusses the major sources of data for the indicators reported in this
document. Subtitle C indicators were basedon data from the RCRA program's two major national
information systems: the Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS) and
the Biennial Reporting System (BRS).J Subtitle D indicators were based mainly on EPA's
Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United Stated
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY INFORMATION SYSTEM (RCRIS)
Background ,
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS) directly suppor
the management of the RCRA Subtitle C program by Regions and States. It is a national progri
management and tracking system containing information on facilities that treat, store, or dispose"
ofSubtitieC hazardous wastes, facilities that generate such wastes (both large quantity generators
£SS? ^ma!15uantlty generat<*s [SQGs]), ,and those engaged in transporting such wastes
RCRIS contains information on facility identificationand location, permit/closure status
compliance with Federal and State regulations, and clean-up activities.
State and Regional users update RCRIS on an ^.going basis withcurrent information as
program activities occur. On a monthly basis, me RCRiS,nationai database is updated to reflect
btate/Regional activity. Updates may occur as a result of several different types of activities-
examples include receipt of notification information,from a generator; inspection of a treatment
storage, or disposal facility(TSDF); and completion of corrective action stabilization measures*
a site. ' - . ....... '-.".- - - - '.-.,
Data Quality
Indicators that are based on RCRIS data were developed with the assistance of State
Regional, and Headquarters personal who use and/or manage the data. These parties reached
consensus on three criteria for selecting RCRIS data for indicators reporting (1) the .data must be
available in Headquarter' national oversight reporting database; (2) the data must be of high
quality overall on a national basis; and (3) there must be a programmaticaUy sound
correspondence between the data and the indicator.
Additional general information on FCRIS and BRS can be found in ihsRCRA Hazardous
Waste Information Management Executive Summary which also provides references for more
detailed information.
'Additional information can be found in .the TeportCharacterization of Municipal Solid
Waste-in the United States, 1994 Update, Final ReportNovember 1994, US EPA Office of
Solid Waste. . , - .
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Indicators included in this report draw on the RCRIS Corrective- Action module to
identity program progress in that area, and the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement module
in support of safe management. The elements used for both indicators have high visibility from the
standpoint of actual program implementation at the State/Regional level, and'at Headquarters
from a national program administration perspective. Projections for the quality of these data as a
.function of their timeliness, national completeness, and basic accuracy are. strong. As with any
national system, local variation in data quality may occur. However, by emphasizing data elements
with high national priority, the impact of such potential variance is minimized. Efforts are
underway to identify additions to RCRIS that can expand RCRA environmental indicator
reporting capabilities. Subsequent reports will reflect those efforts.
v
BIENNIAL REPORTING SYSTEM (BRS)
Background
Every two years, LQGs and TSDFs are required to report to EPA on the quantity,
composition, and disposition of hazardous waste, and on efforts undertaken to reduce the volume
and toxicity of waste compared to previous years. EPA collects this information under the
authority of Sections 3002 and 3004 of RCRA. Handlers provide this information to their State or
EPA Region by submitting Hazardous Waste Report Forms. '
Beginning with the 1989 reporting cycle, OSW developed the Biennial Reporting System
(BRS), an automated data processing system that assists EPA and the States in compiling and
maintaining the data from the Hazardous Waste Report Forms. States are responsible for
collecting the information from facilities, reviewing it for consistency and completeness, and
entering it into the automated system. EPA Regions conduct additional quality control and then
transfer the files to EPA Headquarters, who loads the data into the national system.
Data Quality
OSW currently is using BRS data to report certain waste minimization and safe
management indicators. In particular, information on industry classification, the quantity and type
of waste generated, the management practices used for the waste, and the existence of a new, or
expanded waste minimization program are reported in this document.
CHARACTERIZATION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE IN THE UNITED STATES
Background
Characterization of Solid Waste in the United States: 1994 Updateis the most recent in a
20 year series of reports sponsored by EPA to characterize municipal solid waste (MSW) in the
United States. It provides information on MSW generation and management from 1960 to 1993;
C-2 ..
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generation, c^^^^
The report characterizes the MSW stream of the nationas a whole and does not reflect
local vanations in waste generation rates, composition, or management practices. The information
was derived usmg a matenals flow approach This methodology is bas,ed on production data for
nfeZlr ^ P ^^ !*f ^e' A^toents are made for imports and exports, product
lifetimes, and diversions of products from the waste stream.
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Data Quality ;.
MSW ^f nna^dn Presented in this report is based on estimates rather than measurements of
MSW generation and composition. Although the estimates are based on the best data available
tiiey are subject to uncertainties associated with th* methodology itself and the i quality of theSput
da^In this ongoing senes of reports' EPA has updated previous estimates if better information
has become available, and will continue to do so. umwuon
Certain wastes ithat are frequently disposed in municipal landrills are not covered by the
wir f °5;MSW"de^
Bastes, industaal process wastes, and a number of other wastes that may go to a
municipal landfill. Certain other materials are also not included, such as product residues in
containers (e.g., detergent left in a box). Therefore, the estimates of MSW genera^on ted in
this report are typically lower than those found in other sources erauon presented in
C-3
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APPENDIX D
NEWLY roENTIFIED HAZARDOUS WASTES
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NEWLY IDENTIFIED HAZARDOUS WASTES
APPENDIX D
This chapter identifies wastes that became newly subject to regulation under Subtitle C of
RGRA between the 1989 and 1991 Biennial Reporting System (BRS) reporting cycles As
discussed in Chapters 2 and 3 of this report, according to the BRS, more hazardous waste was
generated and managed in1991 than in 1989. An analysis of the BRS data indicate that this is not
because the nation's hazardous waste generation rates actually increased, but instead because
some of the wastes generated in 1989 were not regulated as hazardous until later.
Wastes that became newly subject to regulation under RCRA Subtitle C between the 1989
and 1991 BRS reporting cycles include: ;
newly identified hazardous wastes characteristic for toxicity (D018-C043);
spent by-product from chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon production (F025)
wood preserving wastes (F032, F034, and F03 5);
newly identified petroleum refining wastes (F037 and F03 8);
multisource leachate (F039); '
unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine QJDMH) wastes (K107-K110); and
methyl bromide wastes (K131 and K132).
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Newly Identified Hazardous Wastes Characteristic For Toxicity ("TC" Wastes)
These wastes were listed as hazardous on March 29, 1990 (55 FR 11798). The
corresponding waste codes and descriptions are listed in Table D-l.
Spent By-product of Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Production
This waste was listed as hazardous on December 11, 1989 (54 FR 50968) and effective on
June 11, 1990. The corresponding waste code and description are listed in Table D-2.
Wood Preserving Wastes
These wastes were listed as hazardous on December 6, 1990 (55 FR 50450) and effective
on June 6, 1991. The corresponding waste codes and descriptions are listed in Table Dr3.
Newly Listed Petroleum Refining Wastes
These wastes were listed as hazardous on November 2, 1990 (55 FR 46354) and effective
on May 2, 1991. The corresponding waste.codes and descriptions are listed in Table D-4.
D-l
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TABLE D^l. TOXICITY CHARACTERISTIC WASTES
Waste Code Description
Waste Code Description
DO 18 Benzene D031
DO 19 Carbon Tetrachloride D032
D020 Chlordane D033
D021 Chlorobenzene D034
D022 Chloroform D035
DG23 o-Cresol D036
D024 m-Cresol D037
D025 p-Cresol D038
D026 Cresol D039
D027 l,4Dichlorobenzene D040
D028 1,2-Dichloroethane D041
D029 l,l-DichloroethyleneD042
D030 2,-Dinitrotoluene D043
, Heptachlor (and its epoxide)
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Hexachloroethane
Methyl ethyl ketone
Nitrobenzene
Pentachlorophenol
Pyrine
Tetrachloroethylene
Trichloroethylene
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Vinyl chloride
TABLE D-2. SPENT BY-PRODUCT OF CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC
HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION
Waste Code Description
F025
Condensed light ends, spent filters and filter aids, and spent desiccant wastes from
the production of certain chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, by free radical
catalyzed processes. These chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons are those having
carbon chain lengths ranging from one to, and including, five with, varying amounts
and positions of chlorine substitution. .
D-2
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TABLE D
PRESERVING WASTES
Waste Code Desci
F032
F034;
F035
Wastewaters, process residuals, preservative drippage, and spent formulations
from/wood preserving processes generated at plants that currently use or have
previously used, chlorophenolic formulations [except potentially cross-
contaminated wastes that have had ^ FQ32 waste code deleted in accordance
with Section 26135, and where tbv ., orator does not resume of initiate use of
chlorophenoKc formulations]. I?_. ,.5mg does not include K001 bottom sediment
sludge from the treatment of wasiewater from wood preserving processes that use
creosote and/or pehtachlorophenol
Wastewaters, process residuals, preservative drippage, and spent formulations
from wood preserving processes generated at plants that use creosote formulations
This listing does not include K001 bottom sediment sludge from the treatment of
wastewater from wood preserving processes that use creosote and/or
pentachlorophenol
Wastewaters, process residuals, preservative drippage, and spent formulations
from wood preserving processes generated at plants that use inorganic
preservatives containing arsenic or chromium: This listing does:not include K001
bottom sediment sludge from the treatment of wastewater from wood preserving
processes that use creosote and/or pentachlorophenol
D-3
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F037
TABLE D-4. NEWLY LISTED PETROLEUM REFINING WASTES
Waste Code Description . - "~ ~~^
Petroleum refining primary oil/water/solids separation sludgeany sludge ~
generated from the gravitational separation of oil/water/solids during the storage
or treatment of process wastewaters and oily cooling wastewaters from petroleum
refineries. Sludges generated in storm water units that do not.. receive dry
weather flow, sludges generated in aggressive biological treatment units as defined
in Section 26131 (b)(2), and K051 wastes are exempted from this listing.
, Petroleum refining secondary (emulsified) oil/water/solids separation sludge any
sludge and/or float generated from the physical and/or chemical separation of
oil/water/solids in process wastewaters and oily cooling wastewaters from
petroleum refineries. Sludges generated in storm water units that do not receive
dry weather flow, sludges generated in aggressive biological treatment units as
defined in Section 26131(b)(2), and F037, K048, and K051 wastes are exempted
from this listing. '
F038
Multi-Source Leachate
This waste is technically not a newly identified waste. In the final rule for the Land
Disposal Restrictions for Third Scheduled Waste (June 1, 1990, 55 FF 22520), EPA decided to
establish a separate treatability group for multi-source leachate, and to designate such leachate by
its own waste code (F039). However, EPA clarified that this new waste code does not imply that
such waste is newly identified, but rather that EPA is making a bookkeeping change as to the way
it designates a type of waste that already is listed and identified. The corresponding waste code
and description are dieted in Table D-5. .
TABLE D-5. MULTI-SOURCE LEACHATE
Waste Code Description
F1039
Leachate resulting from the treatment, storage, or disposal of wastes classified by
more than one waste code under Subpart D, or from a mixture of wastes classified
under Subparts C and D of this part. (Leachate resulting from the management of
one or more of the following EPA Hazardous Wastes and no other hazardous
waste retains its hazardous waste code(s): F020, F021, F022, F023, F026 F027
and/or F028.)
D-4
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UnsymmetricalDimethylhydraan (UDMH) Wastes
XT u ' W6re Hsted ** hazardous °n May 2,'' 1990(55 FR 18496) and effective on
November 2, 1990. The corresponding waste codes and descriptions are listed in Table D-6.
TABLE D-6. UDMH WASTES
Waste Code Description
K108
K109
K110
K107 Column bottoms from product separation from the production of 1 1-
dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) from carbpxylic acid hydrazine
Condensed column overheads from product separation and condensed reactor vent
gases from the production,of UDMH from carbolic acid hydrazides
Spent fflter cartridges from product purification from the production of UDMH
from carboxylic acid hydrazides
ColuT overheads from intermediate separation from the production of
UDMH from carboxylic acid
Methyl Bromide Wastes
ilfi 1QQO Th /^h^dousF°ct°b^^
11 o, 1 yw. l he corresponding waste codes and descriptions are listed in Table D-7.
TABLE D-7. METHYL BROMIDE WASTES
Waste .Code Description ~, !~~~~:
K131 Wastewater from the reactor and spent sulfuric acid from the acid dryer from the
nrnrrnr-.tinn nf rna+k-crl U-^;j~ -.-' .»»-'»" "i>-
production of methyl bromide
D132
Spent absorbent and wastewater separator soUds from the production of methvl
bromide .
D-5
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APPENDIXE
REFERENCES
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REFERENCES
APPENDIX E
Biennial Reporting System. 1985 through 1991. ."
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Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS). 1995. National Oversight
Database. September 19, 1995. - :
1 . - . - - . < - . - _ . .-' '.,'..'":. . '-" i . . _'.'" ':<-.''. ' ." j '. ..'. .- . '- -,'.' /:-'."-.';.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1995. "Proposed Environmental Goals for
Amenca With Benchmarks for the Year 1995, Summary." Draft for Government Agencies'
Review. February 1995. -
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1994. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste
in the United States: 1994 Update. Office of Solid Waste-and Emergency Response. EPA 530-R-
~ *' -
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1992. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste
in the United States: 1992 Update. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
Waste Watch Center. 1993. . v , -
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United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(5305W)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
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