[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 208 (Friday, October 25, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 55252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27469]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Chapter I

[FRL-5640-6]


Definition of Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Recycling; Notice 
of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public 
meeting on November 19, 1996 to make information available on a project 
underway to revise the RCRA regulations governing hazardous waste 
recycling. Under the authority of the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act (RCRA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 
promulgated regulations governing management of hazardous waste. Parts 
of these regulations govern hazardous waste recycling. Specifically, 
the portion of the regulations known as the Definition of Solid Waste 
(DSW) (40 CFR 261.2) specifies whether hazardous materials that are 
recycled are more ``waste-like'' (i.e., solid wastes) and thus subject 
to RCRA regulation, or whether such materials are more ``product-like'' 
and not subject to regulation. Other parts of the regulations set forth 
requirements for regulating hazardous waste recycling (40 CFR 261.6, 
Part 266). The current hazardous waste recycling regulations were first 
promulgated on January 4, 1985 (50 FR 614).
    EPA is working on a rulemaking to modify the current federal 
hazardous waste recycling scheme to meet two goals: develop a clearer, 
simpler regulatory system for hazardous waste recycling that adequately 
protects human health and the environment; and to remove disincentives 
to the safe recycling of hazardous waste. The intended result of this 
project is a simpler RCRA program, where definitions and requirements 
more precisely capture the materials and practices Congress intended to 
regulate in passing the Act.
    The purpose of this meeting is for EPA to present and explain the 
draft rulemaking options the Agency is currently considering. The 
intent is to allow parties outside the government to begin as early in 
the process as possible, to formulate its thoughts on the proposal in 
order to allow time for interested parties to fully develop comments to 
be completed during the comment period. The Agency believes that the 
issues involved in this project are complex and difficult enough that 
this early introduction to the Agency's direction will benefit the 
regulated community by allowing early discussion among interested 
parties and will benefit the Agency by resulting in more fully 
formulated reactions to the proposal in comments. EPA will answer 
clarifying questions. Time may be limited, however, depending on the 
number of participants and questions. EPA anticipates publishing the 
proposed rulemaking in Spring of 1997. Because the Agency believes that 
a full dialog among the members of the regulated community is critical 
to receiving the best comment possible, EPA plans to allow a 90 day 
comment period for proposal and to hold public meetings during the 
comment period to discuss the proposal in detail. Written materials 
will be handed out at the meeting. These materials will not be 
available prior to the meeting.

DATES: The Public meeting will be held on November 19, 1996 from 8:30 
am to 12:30 pm.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Airport Hilton, 2399 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington Virginia, 22202, 703 418-6800.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For general information, contact the RCRA Hotline at 800 424-9346 or 
TDD 800 553-7672 (hearing impaired). In the Washington, DC, 
metropolitan area, call 703 412-9810 or TDD 703 412-3323.

    Dated: October 17, 1996.
Michael Shapiro,
Director, Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 96-27469 Filed 10-25-96; 8:45 am]
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