Federal Law

A number of federal laws also address solid waste management issues. The most notable of those are the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). These additionally listed laws also have solid waste management components.

• Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act
• The Clean Air Act (CAA)
• The Clean Water Act (CWA)
• The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund)
• The Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA)
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
• Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
• The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
• The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
• The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA)
• The Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
• The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
• The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
• The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Pennsylvania Laws & Regulations

In Pennsylvania, most recycling and solid waste issues are addressed through the the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101 of 1988) and the Solid Waste Management Act (Act 97 of 1980). The regulations promulgated by authority of these acts can be found in Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code in Chapters 260-299.

• Pennsylvania Code - Title 25 Municipal and Hazardous Waste Regulations
• Act 101 - The Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste Reduction Act
• Act 108 - The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act
• Act 125 - The Forest Beautification Act
• Act 140 - Recycling Fee Reauthorization & Performance Requirements
• Act 90 - Waste Transportation Safety
• Act 175 - Recycling Fee Reauthorization
• "Grow Greener" - Environmental Stewardship & Watershed Protection Act
• Pennsylvania's Superfund (CERCLA)

The Pennsylvania State Constitution guarantees citizens of Pennsylvania clean air and clean water. A number of environmental protection laws have been passed by the Pennsylvania legislature since 1905. These links are provided as a background to program administrators and recycling advocates who are interested in this information.

• Environmental protection provision of the State Constitution
• Comprehensive reference list of all major environmental laws enacted in Pennyslvania since 1905
• PA DEP's webpage on Statutes and Regulations

Please feel free to contact us electronically prop@proprecycles.org or by phone (800-769-PROP) if you have any questions or wish to discuss any of the related issues.