Full Document:
RCRA Online Number: 14853
Title: HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE EXEMPTION FOR PHARMACEUTICALS COLLECTED VIA DEA APPROVED TAKE-BACK OR COLLECTION PROGRAMS
Document Date: 2015-10-02
To: RCRA Division Directors, EPA Regions 1-10
From: Johnson
Description: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finalized a rule in 2014 to implement the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (September 9, 2014; 79 FR 53520), which significantly expands the options available to collect pharmaceutical controlled substances for the purposes of safe disposal. With this regulation, a DEA authorized collector can conduct programs to collect old, expired, or unwanted pharmaceutical controlled substances from households. For example, a local retail pharmacy may install a collection receptacle on its premises for household pharmaceutical wastes if it becomes a DEA authorized collector. Pharmaceuticals from a home are excluded from RCRA hazardous waste regulation as household waste (261.4(b)(1)), even when household hazardous wastes are collected outside the home such as the pharmaceuticals collected at DEA authorized collection receptacles.
Regulatory Citation(s): 261.4(b)(1)
Statutory Citation(s): 3006 Read US Code 42, Chapter 82
Official ORCR Policy: Yes
Associated Topic(s):
Household Hazardous Waste |
