Dive Brief:
- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised its definition of the 2008 solid waste rule.
- The updated version focuses on encouraging responsible recycling of hazardous waste, in addition to promoting innovation in recycling.
- The Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) final rule stems from a rule created in 2008 that serves to protect the environment from hazardous waste recycling mismanagement and to increase sustainability through materials recycling.
Dive Insight:
The new definition came into fruition after the EPA conducted an environmental justice analysis of the original rule. The agency studied locations of recycling facilities, and the impact of those centers on the community.
The EPA determined there were voids in the rule that could have an adverse affect on residents in the area.