Document ID: EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426-0001
Agency: epa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Hazardous Waste Management and the Retail Sector: Providing and Seeking Information on Practices to Enhance Effectiveness to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Program
Posted Date: 2014-02-14T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8926-8935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02930]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 261 and 262

[EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426; FRL-9906-44-OSWER]
RIN 2050-AG72

Hazardous Waste Management and the Retail Sector: Providing and 
Seeking Information on Practices To Enhance Effectiveness to the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of data availability and request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice of Data Availability (NODA) announces and invites 
comment on information assembled by the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA or the Agency), and solicits additional information regarding the 
hazardous waste management practices of establishments in the retail 
sector (e.g., stores). The NODA also invites comment on specific issues 
and suggested questions that the retail industry has raised about 
challenges they face in complying with the Resource Conservation and

[[Page 8927]]

Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste policies, guidances and 
regulations. This NODA meets the Agency's commitment to solicit public 
comment on issues associated with the retail sector under Executive 
Order 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review to make 
regulatory programs more effective or less burdensome in achieving 
regulatory objectives.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
RCRA-2012-0426, by one of the following methods:
     www.regulations.gov: Follow the online instructions for 
submitting comments.
     Email: Comments may be sent by electronic mail (email) to 
rcra-docket@epa.gov, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426. In 
contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's email system is not 
an ``anonymous access'' system. If you send an email comment directly 
to the Docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, 
EPA's email system automatically captures your email address. Email 
addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's email system are 
included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public 
docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
     Fax: Comments may be faxed to 202-566-9744. Attention 
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426.
     Mail: to Hazardous Waste Management and the Retail Sector: 
Providing and Seeking Information on Practices to Enhance Effectiveness 
to the RCRA Program: Notice of Data Availability and Request for 
Comment. Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 28221T, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460. Attention Docket ID No. 
EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426. Please include a total of 2 copies.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver two copies of your comments to the 
Hazardous Waste Management and the Retail Sector: Providing and Seeking 
Information on Practices to Enhance Effectiveness to the RCRA Program: 
Notice of Data Availability and Request for Comment Docket, EPA/DC, EPA 
West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2012-0426. Such deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-
2012-0426. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public docket without change and may be made available on-line 
at www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI), or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or email. The 
www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you 
provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an email comment 
directly to EPA without going through www.regulations.gov, your email 
address will be automatically captured and included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. For additional 
instructions on submitting comments, go to the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the 
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically 
in www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Hazardous Waste 
Management and the Retail Sector: Providing and Seeking Information on 
Practices to Enhance Effectiveness to the RCRA Program: Notice of Data 
Availability and Request for Comment Docket, EPA/DC, EPA West, Room 
3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. This Docket Facility 
is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is (202) 566-0270. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding 
specific aspects of this notice, contact Richard Huggins Jr., Materials 
Recovery and Waste Management Division, Office of Resource Conservation 
and Recovery, (5304P), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone (703) 308-
0017; fax number: 703-308-0514; email address huggins.richard@epa.gov 
or Jim O'Leary, Materials Recovery and Waste Management Division, 
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, (5304P) U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone (703) 308-8827; fax number: 703-308-
0524; email address oleary.jim@epa.gov. For more information on this 
rulemaking, please visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opei/RuleGate.nsf/.
    The contents of this notice are listed in the following outline:

I. General Information
    A. Does this action apply to me?
    B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
II. Background
    A. Introduction
    B. Why We Are Publishing This NODA
    C. RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Management Regulations
III. Methodology and Data on Which EPA Seeks Comment
    A. Data Methodology
    B. Data Available on the Universe of Retail Stores and Retail 
Facilities and the Amount of Hazardous Waste Generated by These 
Facilities
IV. Additional Information That EPA Seeks from Commenters
    A. Suggestions for Improving the RCRA Hazardous Waste Policies, 
Guidances and Regulations for Retail Operations
    B. Information About the Retail Universe and the Hazardous Waste 
Generated
    C. Information About Episodic Generation
    D. Information About Retail Stores' Hazardous Waste Programs
    E. Information About Hazardous Waste Employee Training
    F. Information About Aerosol Cans
    G. Information About Transportation and Reverse Logistics
    H. Information About Reverse Logistic Centers
    I. Information About Sustainability Efforts Undertaken by Retail 
Facilities

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 8928]]

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This Notice of Data Availability (NODA) provides information to the 
public and seeks comment and additional information associated with the 
retail sector and its facilities. Thus, entities that may want to 
review this NODA and may have relevant information to submit are likely 
to be classified in the following industrial sectors under the North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS):

       NAICS Codes of Entities Potentially Affected by This Notice
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              NAICS Code                   Description of NAICS Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
441..................................  Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers.
442..................................  Furniture and Home Furnishings
                                        Stores.
443..................................  Electronics and Appliance Stores.
444..................................  Building Material and Garden
                                        Equipment and Supplies Dealers.
445..................................  Food and Beverage Stores.
446..................................  Health and Personal Care Stores.
447..................................  Gasoline Stations.
448..................................  Clothing and Clothing Accessories
                                        Stores.
451..................................  Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and
                                        Music Stores.
452..................................  General Merchandise Stores.
453..................................  Miscellaneous Store Retailers.
454..................................  Nonstore Retailers.
722..................................  Food Services and Drinking
                                        Places.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The list of potentially affected entities in the above table is not 
exhaustive and is provided as a general indicator of those entities 
about which EPA is presenting information and requesting comment. In 
addition, other stakeholders affected by hazardous waste management by 
the retail sector, including Tribal, state, and local governments, 
community and environmental groups, and members of the public may also 
want to review this NODA and provide relevant information. If you have 
any questions regarding the applicability of this notice to a 
particular entity or industry, consult the individuals listed above in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Section.

B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?

    1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
www.regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as 
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the 
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as 
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
     Identify this NODA by docket number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     Describe any assumptions and provide any technical 
information and/or data that you used.
     If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how 
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
     Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and 
suggest alternatives.
     Explain your views as clearly as possible.
     Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

 II. Background

A. Introduction

    Regulation of hazardous waste generated by the retail sector under 
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) presents unique 
challenges that are not found in more ``traditional'' RCRA- regulated 
industries. The retail sector handles a large number of diverse 
products (for example, one retailer has reported about a million 
products and 4,000 facilities nationwide), many of which may 
potentially become regulated as hazardous waste under RCRA when 
discarded. Thus, retailers are required to make numerous hazardous 
waste determinations at thousands of sites, generally by store 
employees with limited experience with the RCRA hazardous waste 
regulations. Additionally, the retail sector often uses ``reverse 
distribution'' in their business processes, where non-damaged products 
from retail stores are routinely shipped back to consolidation centers. 
However, how reverse distribution processes are regulated, or should be 
regulated under RCRA has resulted in a number of questions.
    In 2008, EPA began an effort to review the application of RCRA 
hazardous waste regulations to the retail sector, and over the next two 
years conducted meetings, conference calls and site visits with the 
retail sector to better understand their challenges. This included 
meetings with the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, 
Inc. (COSTHA), Lowe's, the National Retail Federation, Proctor and 
Gamble, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), Strong 
Environmental and Walmart, and site visits at Lowe's, a Proctor and 
Gamble distribution center, and the Heritage Facility, a commercial 
waste facility that handles Proctor and Gamble's wastes.
    On January 18, 2011, President Obama signed Executive Order (EO) 
13563, titled ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.'' President 
Obama ordered federal departments and agencies to develop a ``plan, 
consistent with law and its resources and regulatory priorities, under 
which the agency will periodically review its existing significant 
regulations to determine whether any such regulations should be 
modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed so as to make the agency's 
regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving the 
regulatory objectives.'' The EO also enumerated a number of principles 
and directives to improve the nation's regulatory system. Today's 
notice meets an Agency's commitment under the EO to solicit public 
comment on issues associated with the retail sector (as reported in the 
EPA's Final

[[Page 8929]]

Plan for Periodic Retrospective Reviews, August 2011). EPA has used and 
will continue to use this EO to guide regulatory reviews and related 
Agency activities.
    On March 14, 2011, EPA held a public meeting in Arlington, VA to 
receive input on its plan for retrospective review. At this meeting, 
Walmart presented several issues it encounters when complying with the 
RCRA hazardous waste management regulations in their stores. Walmart 
subsequently submitted written comments to the EO 13563 regulatory 
review docket. The Home Depot also submitted comments to the docket.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Retail Industry Leaders Association also submitted 
comments in the Fall of 2011 that echoed Walmart and Home Depot's 
concerns. The Docket can be found at Regulations.gov. Docket ID: 
EPA-HQ-OA-2011-0156.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Many of the comments related to the retail sector were specific to 
the unique issues faced when managing hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. 
However, other retail-related comments were also raised, with some of 
the more important comments focusing on episodic generation, hazardous 
waste determination, reverse distribution, and aerosol can management.
    Commenters also noted, hazardous waste generation rates at retail 
facilities can vary depending on product recalls, customer returns, 
expiration dates, accidental product spills or breakage, seasonality 
and `consumer' midnight dumping in retail parking lots. Varying 
generation rates subject retailers to different generator regulations 
each calendar month. Varying generation rates present problems for 
retailers when complying with the training requirements, accumulation 
standards, recordkeeping, manifesting and other hazardous waste 
regulations. In addition, commenters noted making a hazardous waste 
determination is difficult for retailers because a single retail store 
can sell hundreds of thousands of products. These products come from 
tens of thousands of suppliers and manufacturers. In addition, EPA 
understands regulators and compliance inspectors also encounter 
difficulties with the retail sector for these same reasons.
    Commenters also questioned how the common retail process of reverse 
distribution should be regulated under RCRA. Reverse distribution is 
generally a process whereby retailers send consumer products they are 
unable to sell in their stores back to a central processing location 
where they are audited and financial credit for the items may be 
granted by the manufacturer. The products are then evaluated and a 
decision is made regarding the final disposition of the item. Items can 
be donated, liquidated (sold), sent back to a manufacturer, recycled or 
discarded appropriately. Specifically commenters asked about when the 
decision is made to discard an item, whether the central processing 
location is considered the RCRA generator or whether the originating 
retail store should be considered the RCRA generator for that item.
    Finally, aerosol cans make up a large percentage of the retail 
sector's hazardous wastestream. Many aerosol cans could be recycled as 
scrap metal or have their flammable propellants captured for fuel 
recovery. However, retailers manage aerosol cans as hazardous waste 
because the recycling activity is not performed at the retail facility. 
Also, it is unclear whether or when aerosol cans exhibit the reactivity 
characteristic (D003). Thus, the retail sector would like EPA to 
determine that aerosol cans without flammable propellants and non- 
hazardous contents are not reactive hazardous waste (D003). They would 
also like EPA to determine that the previously mentioned recycling 
exclusions do apply to retail facilities when aerosol cans are sent for 
recycling, and all other hazardous waste aerosol cans can be managed as 
Universal Wastes. EPA is interested in the views of our state and 
tribal partners regarding this issue.
    Based on these comments and the issues raised at the public 
meeting, EPA identified improving the effectiveness of the hazardous 
waste policies, guidances or regulations for the retail sector as one 
of the 35 priority topics included in the ``Improving Our Regulations: 
Final Plan for Periodic Retrospective Reviews of Existing 
Regulations.'' In this plan, EPA committed to following up on three 
items: (1) To determine whether to issue guidance in the short term 
concerning regulation of certain pharmaceutical containers; (2) to 
review data about pharmaceutical products that may become wastes and to 
address issues as part of a rulemaking on pharmaceutical waste 
management; and (3) to analyze information and identify issues about 
the regulation's applicability to hazardous wastes generated in the 
retail industry, what materials may be affected, what the scope of the 
issues are, and what options may exist for addressing the issues.
    Since the release of EPA's plan, EPA has made progress in meeting 
these commitments. Specifically:
     In November 2011, EPA issued a memorandum addressing 
pharmaceutical containers, a copy of which is included in the docket 
for this NODA.\2\ This memorandum clarified the regulations governing 
the management of containers which held P-listed (acute) hazardous 
waste residues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Memorandum from Suzanne Rudzinski, Director, Office of 
Resource Conservation and Recovery to RCRA Division Directors, U.S. 
EPA Regions 1-10, November 4, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Based on comments received on EPA's proposed rule 
regarding the regulation of pharmaceutical wastes under the Universal 
Waste Rule (UWR) (see 73 FR 75220, December 2, 2008), the Agency is 
developing a proposed rule for healthcare facility-specific management 
standards for hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.
     EPA has conducted further outreach to stakeholders in the 
retail community to gather additional information regarding the 
hazardous waste issues they are facing. EPA has held several listening 
sessions with Advanced Auto Parts, Ball Corporation, the Consumer 
Specialty Products Association (CSPA), COSTHA, GRR Aerosols, Inc., The 
Home Depot, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), 
RILA, Safeway, and Walmart to better understand the issues the retail 
sector encounters in complying with the RCRA hazardous waste generator 
regulations.\3\ EPA representatives also conducted site visits at an 
Advance Auto Parts retail store, a Lowe's retail store, and a Walmart 
retail store, distribution center and return center.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 40 CFR 260.10 defines ``generator'' as ``any person, by 
site, whose act or process produces hazardous waste identified or 
listed in part 261 of this chapter or whose act first causes a 
hazardous waste to become subject to regulation.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These efforts have led to today's NODA.

B. Why We Are Publishing This NODA

    This NODA is part of the Agency's continuing effort to better 
understand concerns from all stakeholders about RCRA's applicability to 
the retail sector, what materials may be affected, what the full scope 
of the issues are, and what options may exist for addressing the 
issues.
    EPA notes there have been a number of enforcement actions and 
settlements involving EPA, the states and the retail sector. The RCRA 
cases have typically involved the mismanagement and disposal of 
hazardous consumer products and pharmaceuticals that have become 
hazardous waste from retail stores. While the states have taken the 
majority of actions against several major retail companies, in 2013, 
EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice reached agreement with Walmart 
to resolve RCRA, CWA, and FIFRA violations that occurred across the 
country. As part of

[[Page 8930]]

that agreement, Walmart committed to the continued development and 
implementation of a comprehensive, corporate-wide waste management 
program (which it started in 2006) to identify and properly manage all 
hazardous wastes generated throughout its retail operations. 
Specifically, Walmart now has suppliers submit product information to a 
third party to evaluate product formulations to determine a product's 
regulatory waste status and transportation classification, an 
electronic system that provides every employee with waste handling 
information for each product through the scanning of the UPC bar code, 
a waste management system that utilizes colored buckets to clearly 
designate where certain types of waste are accumulated prior to off-
site shipment, and a reverse logistics system to track the disposition 
of all items going through their reverse distribution system. Other 
retail companies have started to implement similar programs to better 
manage their wastes.
    In today's NODA, the EPA will be taking comment on several topics 
that were recurring themes in most of the retail enforcement actions. 
These recurring topics include where and when a hazardous waste 
determination must be made, episodic generation, reverse logistics and 
hazardous waste management programs. This list may not fully cover the 
issues facing the retail sector, so the EPA has also asked for comments 
on areas we have not addressed or new topics that have recently arisen 
and were not seen in previous enforcement actions.
    Furthermore, today's notice (1) presents available information that 
EPA has assembled on the universe of retail stores and retail 
facilities, as well as the universe of retail hazardous waste 
generators who have obtained EPA identification numbers and gives 
stakeholders the opportunity to provide comments they may have on this 
information and (2) offers stakeholders the opportunity to provide 
additional information they may have about the RCRA issues retail 
stores and retail facilities confront regarding the generation and 
management of hazardous waste. While EPA has already obtained 
insightful information from major retailers through meetings, public 
comments and site visits, EPA also recognizes that the retail sector is 
diverse, and would like to ensure that all parts of the industry have 
the opportunity to review the information that has been provided and 
share their own perspectives about the challenges they face.
    EPA would also like to hear from the states and tribes on how they 
regulate and interact with the retail sector and any particular issues 
they have seen in implementing the regulations, determining compliance, 
etc. For example, during the course of EPA's review, states have 
contacted EPA about some issues they have experienced with the retail 
sector. In the summer of 2008, the state of Nevada contacted Region 9 
asking for assistance with retail reverse logistics. In addition, some 
states in developing settlement agreements with retail companies have 
included the provision that retail companies work with EPA to promote 
the development of national policy regarding reverse logistics and 
other retail RCRA issues. Furthermore, it is important EPA hears from 
the states to understand how any new policies, guidance or regulations 
may impact the current state regulatory framework to ensure that we do 
not create adverse impacts to a state's RCRA program. We are especially 
seeking any innovative ideas or programs that states have tried with 
this sector.
    The NODA also gives community and environmental groups and the 
public an opportunity to comment on RCRA and the retail sector. These 
stakeholders may possess valuable information that could help EPA in 
evaluating next steps and developing policies, guidances and 
regulations that impact the retail sector.
    The information requested in this NODA is intended to help the 
Agency better understand the issues that have been identified about the 
retail sector and provide a forum for stakeholders to present any 
additional issues. EPA will use this public input to make informed 
decisions about possible next steps to improve the RCRA hazardous waste 
policies, guidances or regulations for retail operations.

C. RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Management Regulations

    One of the core questions retail commenters raised was at what 
point in their process is a hazardous waste generated. Thus in order to 
provide adequate context, in this section, EPA provides a very brief 
explanation of the hazardous waste generation regulations. Under RCRA, 
waste generators are the first link in the cradle-to-grave hazardous 
waste management system. All generators must determine if their waste 
is hazardous at the point of generation and must oversee the ultimate 
fate of the waste. In particular, the RCRA federal hazardous waste 
regulations require generators to ensure and document that the 
hazardous waste they generate is properly identified, managed, and 
treated prior to recycling, treatment, storage or disposal. The 
regulations applicable to generators of hazardous waste are located in 
40 CFR part 261 and part 262. The degree of regulation to which each 
generator is subject depends to a large extent on how much hazardous 
waste each generator generates every calendar month. Generator status 
can range from conditionally exempt small quantity generators (CESQGs), 
which are the least regulated generators, to large quantity generators 
(LQGs), which are the most regulated generators.

III. Methodology and Data on Which EPA Seeks Comment

A. Data Methodology

    EPA has developed a methodology to estimate the number of retail 
stores that generate hazardous waste to better understand the universe 
of facilities that may be affected by RCRA compliance issues. Using 
data from EPA's RCRAInfo database \4\ and the US Census, we examined a 
number of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes 
that apply to the retail industry (see below) and made the assumption 
that these NAICS codes represent the majority of retailers that 
generate hazardous waste. We ask commenters whether this assumption is 
correct and to submit information if they believe additional sectors of 
the retail industry that generate hazardous waste are not represented 
by these NAICs codes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The RCRAInfo database tracks RCRA Subtitle C facility-
specific data (i.e., events and activities related to hazardous 
waste generators, transporters, and treatment storage and disposal 
facilities), and hazardous waste activity reports, known as biennial 
reports, that are submitted by large quantity generators and 
treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

   Table 1--NAICS Codes Representing Majority of Retail HW Generators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              NAICS Code                   Description of NAICS Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
441..................................  Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers.

[[Page 8931]]

 
442..................................  Furniture and Home Furnishings
                                        Stores.
443..................................  Electronics and Appliance Stores.
444..................................  Building Material and Garden
                                        Equipment and Supplies Dealers.
445..................................  Food and Beverage Stores.
446..................................  Health and Personal Care Stores.
447..................................  Gasoline Stations.
448..................................  Clothing and Clothing Accessories
                                        Stores.
451..................................  Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and
                                        Music Stores.
452..................................  General Merchandise Stores.
453..................................  Miscellaneous Store Retailers.
454..................................  Nonstore Retailers.
722..................................  Food Services and Drinking
                                        Places.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Using 2007 US Census data, we calculated the total number of 
facilities that operate under each of these retail NAICS codes. We then 
used EPA's RCRAInfo database to identify facilities that had notified 
or otherwise reported as hazardous waste generators in these NAICS 
codes. Facilities that generate greater than 100 kilograms of hazardous 
waste per month--small quantity generators (SQGs) or 1,000 kilograms of 
hazardous waste per month or 1 kg of acute hazardous waste per month--
large quantity generators (LQGs) are required to notify EPA or their 
authorized state in order to obtain a unique RCRA identification 
number. Some states also require conditionally exempt small quantity 
generators (CESQGs) to notify and receive a RCRA identification 
number.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Some CESQGs will also notify and receive a RCRA 
identification number because they are episodic SQGs or LQGs, or 
they manifest their hazardous wastes off-site (a hazardous waste 
manifest requires the use of a RCRA identification number).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From the RCRAInfo database, we estimated the number of LQGs, SQGs, 
and CESQGs that had notified or reported under one of the primary NAICS 
code listed above. Then for each NAICS code, we calculated the percent 
of the total facilities that had notified or reported as a hazardous 
waste generator represented by each generator category (LQG, SQG, 
CESQG). For example, for NAICS code 441, Motor Vehicle and Parts 
Dealers, the RCRAInfo database indicates the total number of hazardous 
waste generators is 7,846 of which 0.9% are LQGs, 31.8% are SQGs, and 
67.3% are CESQGs, respectively. We then totaled the data for all the 
NAICS codes to get total estimates for the retail universe. See Table 
2.
    The number of retail facilities identified in the RCRAInfo database 
is a subset of the total universe of hazardous waste generating 
facilities in the retail sector since not all retailers will generate 
an amount of hazardous waste each month sufficient to require RCRA 
notification. Furthermore, we believe the estimate of retail sector 
hazardous waste generators from the RCRAInfo database to be extremely 
low because it is likely that many retail stores and facilities are 
CESQGs who, in most states, do not have to notify EPA or the authorized 
state to obtain a RCRA identification number and thus are not in the 
system. In addition, we believe some portion of the retail universe may 
not be aware they have generated hazardous waste and therefore, have 
not notified. For all these reasons, we believe the number of retailers 
in the RCRAInfo database underestimates the retail sector hazardous 
waste generator universe. We also believe that the calculated portions 
of the total retail hazardous waste generator universe that are SQGs 
and CESQGs are also likely underestimated. This is because the RCRAInfo 
database for these categories is limited by the level of detail in 
EPA's Biennial Report (BR) since the BR is mandatory only for LQGs.
    Following the results of the above analysis, we then used the 2009 
BR to identify the different types and quantities of hazardous waste 
generated by LQGs for each retail NAICS code. We then created a spread 
sheet that totaled the quantity of hazardous waste generated by each 
hazardous waste code across all retail NAICS codes, as well as the 
total amount of hazardous waste generated for each NAICS code.
    We request comment on the methodology described above. We also 
request that commenters submit any additional procedures, information, 
or data that may be used to better characterize the universe of retail 
facilities and their hazardous waste generator categories.

B. Data Available on the Universe of Retail Stores and Retail 
Facilities and the Amount of Hazardous Waste Generated by These 
Facilities

    Table 2 provides an estimate for the retail sector universe of 
hazardous waste generator facilities and estimates the percentages in 
each generator category (LQG, SQG, and CESQG). Specifically, Table 2 
indicates the total universe of retail sector facilities (41,138) that 
have notified EPA or an authorized state they generate hazardous waste. 
Of this total, about 95 percent are identified as SQGs and CESQGs. 
Table 3 displays the total tons of hazardous waste generated by LQGs in 
the retail sector in 2009 by NAICS code. As discussed above, EPA 
recognizes these estimates have a number of limitations and therefore 
involve a great deal of uncertainty. EPA asks commenters to provide any 
relevant information that could be used to improve our estimates of the 
number of retailers, the number of retailers that generate hazardous 
waste, and the distribution of LQGs, SQGs, and CESQGs within this 
universe, as well as the total quantity of hazardous waste generated by 
the retail sector.

[[Page 8932]]

                   Table 2--Comparison of Retail Census Data and Number of Retail Facilities in RCRAInfo Database by Generator Status
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Total                      Total
                                           number of   Total number   number of                LQG % of                SQG % of               CESQG % of
                                           facilities    of firms     facilities              facilities              facilities              facilities
    NAICS Code           NAICS Code        according   according to  in RCRAInfo  Number of  in RCRAInfo  Number of  in RCRAInfo  Number of  in RCRAInfo
                         description        to U.S.     U.S. Census     with a       LQGs       with a       SQGs       with a      CESQGs      with a
                                          Census 2007    2007 \7\     generator               generator               generator               generator
                                              \6\                       status                  status                  status                  status
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
441...............  Motor Vehicle and         125,895       94,291         7,846         73          0.9      2,492         31.8      5,281         67.3
                     Parts Dealers.
442...............  Furniture and Home         65,319       46,532           388          3          0.8         31          8.0        354         91.2
                     Furnishings Stores.
443...............  Electronics and            50,041       30,657           135          4          3.0         48         35.6         83         61.5
                     Appliance Stores.
444...............  Building Material          90,443       62,011         4,066         69          1.7      2,282         56.1      1,715         42.2
                     and Garden
                     Equipment and
                     Supplies Dealers.
445...............  Food and Beverage         146,951      116,280         1,901        141          7.4        223         11.7      1,537         80.9
                     Stores.
446...............  Health and Personal        87,311       43,864         8,074        225          2.8      3,805         47.1      4,044         50.1
                     Care Stores.
447...............  Gasoline Stations...      117,014       66,431         8,941        411          4.6      2,828         31.6      5,702         63.8
448...............  Clothing and              154,935       67,035           135          3          2.2         28         20.7        104         77.0
                     Clothing
                     Accessories Stores.
451...............  Sporting Goods,            57,197       41,057           146          1          0.7         45         30.8        100         68.5
                     Hobby, Book, and
                     Music Stores.
452...............  General Merchandise        46,065       10,460         8,544        914         10.7       4770         55.8      2,860         33.5
                     Stores.
453...............  Miscellaneous Store       120,260       97,730           417         26          6.2        105         25.2        286         68.6
                     Retailers.
454...............  Nonstore Retailers..       61,272       40,168           310         17          5.5         96         31.0        197         63.5
722...............  Food Services and         563,784      423,999           235          6          2.6         21          8.9        208         88.5
                     Drinking Places.
                   =====================================================================================================================================
                 Totals                     1,686,487    1,140,515        41,138      1,893          4.6     16,774         40.8     22,471         54.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table 3--Tons of Hazardous Waste Generated by LQGs in 2009 by NAICS Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Amount of
                                   Description of NAICS        waste
           NAICS Code                      Code            generated  in
                                                             tons \8\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
441............................  Motor Vehicle and Parts              83
                                  Dealers.
442............................  Furniture and Home                    0
                                  Furnishings Stores.
443............................  Electronics and                       0
                                  Appliance Stores.
444............................  Building Material and               530
                                  Garden Equipment and
                                  Supplies Dealers.
445............................  Food and Beverage                    41
                                  Stores.
446............................  Health and Personal                 268
                                  Care Stores.
447............................  Gasoline Stations......           1,187
448............................  Clothing and Clothing                10
                                  Accessories Stores.
451............................  Sporting Goods, Hobby,                4
                                  Book, and Music Stores.
452............................  General Merchandise                 608
                                  Stores.
453............................  Miscellaneous Store                  90
                                  Retailers.
454............................  Nonstore Retailers.....          29,601
722............................  Food Services and                     0
                                  Drinking Places.
                                ----------------------------------------
    Total......................  .......................          32,422
------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Additional Information That EPA Seeks From Commenters

    EPA is  continuing  its effort to seek  additional information 
about retail stores and facilities and their operations in order to 
better understand what RCRA compliance challenges they face. This 
information will assist EPA in determining associated issues and 
identifying options that may exist to address these issues. The 
information EPA seeks falls into nine categories: (A) Suggestions for 
improving the RCRA hazardous waste policies, guidances and regulations 
for retail operations; (B) information about the retail universe and 
the hazardous waste generated; (C) information about episodic 
generation; (D) information about retail stores' programs for handling 
hazardous waste; (E) information about hazardous waste training for 
employees; (F) information about aerosol cans; (G) information about 
transportation and reverse logistics; (H) information about reverse 
logistic centers; and (I) information about sustainability efforts 
undertaken by retail facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 2007 Economic Census EC0700CADV1: All sectors: Core Business 
Statistics Series: Advance Summary Statistics for the United States 
(2007 NAICS Basis): 2007.
    \7\ Statistics of U.S. Business: 2007 U.S.-Retail Trade NAICS 
44. www.census.gov/epcd/susb/2007/us/US44.HTM.
    \8\ Waste totals obtained from the 2009 Biennial Report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following each section, we have included a list of suggested 
questions as a helpful guide for your consideration in preparing your 
comments. EPA provides these questions simply to guide the type of 
comments we would find useful for

[[Page 8933]]

this inquiry. We encourage commenters to submit any information that 
they believe would assist EPA in making the RCRA program more effective 
in the retail sector. EPA will consider all comments we receive related 
to the nine categories of information described above regardless of 
whether they address all, some or none of these specific questions. If 
you choose to provide facility-specific data, it would be useful to 
provide the name and location (city and state) and the hazardous waste 
generator category of the facility (LQG, SQG, CESQG, or other category 
as designated by state regulations) where possible.

A. Suggestions for Improving the RCRA Hazardous Waste Management 
Policies, Guidances and Regulations for Retail Operations

    The suggested questions below provide a chance for all commenters 
to provide input on where they see possibilities to improve the RCRA 
hazardous waste policies, guidances or regulations. Commenters, 
however, should feel free to provide whatever pertinent information 
that would be useful to EPA as we review the hazardous waste program 
policies, guidances and regulations.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) What regulatory changes do you recommend that would help ensure 
hazardous waste generated by the retail sector is managed in a way that 
protects human health and the environment, while providing a regulatory 
framework that works with how retail facilities currently operate?
    (2) Do any states or tribes have RCRA policies, guidances or 
regulations for retail operations? If so, could you describe them or 
submit copies of them, as well as any evaluation of or information on 
their effectiveness?
    (3) Do states find common issues at retail facilities? If so, were 
you able to alleviate these issues or are there roadblocks preventing 
you from fixing the problems?
    (4) Do you have any information which suggests there was or may 
have been any disproportional impacts on communities due to the retail 
sector's handling of hazardous waste?
    (5) Do certain hazardous wastes generated by retailers pose less 
risk to human health and the environment than others? Which ones and 
why are the hazards less (e.g., explain how these hazardous wastes 
handled in a specific way reduce the possibility of release to the 
environment, or how the character or composition ensure that exposure 
cannot occur)?
    (6) Are there ways, either through guidance or regulatory changes 
that EPA could encourage safe recycling, or reuse of hazardous wastes 
generated by the retail sector?

B. Information About the Retail Universe and the Hazardous Waste 
Generated

    To better understand the scope of the issues, we request commenters 
provide additional data to aid in defining the universe of retail 
facilities that generate hazardous wastes. If possible, data should be 
categorized by NAICS codes, which describe the primary business 
activity performed by a facility. Please provide information regarding 
the number of retail facilities generating hazardous waste. In 
addition, EPA would like to better understand the operations of retail 
facilities, and the types and quantities of hazardous waste generated. 
Specifically, we are seeking information about the types of operations 
and activities that generate hazardous waste and the associated types 
and quantities. For example, it will be very useful to know generally 
how much of a retail store's waste qualifies as hazardous waste. Also, 
understanding situations, such as upset conditions like product recalls 
or customer returns will be helpful to EPA to better understand the 
activities that generate hazardous waste in the retail sector and the 
challenges in adhering to the existing RCRA hazardous waste 
regulations.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) How many retail stores or retail facilities do you operate or 
regulate or oversee?
    (2) Can you estimate the distribution of your retail stores by RCRA 
regulatory status; e.g., CESQG, SQG, LQG?
    (3) How many different types of products carried or handled by your 
retail store do you estimate to be hazardous waste under RCRA (40 CFR 
261.3) when discarded? Describe the types of products and volumes 
generated monthly.
    (4) For the activities and operations that generate hazardous waste 
in the retail setting (e.g., spills, product maintenance or other 
services, customer returns, product recalls, seasonal changes of 
product, manufacturer-directed changes of product, or facility 
operations and maintenance), identify the major RCRA hazardous waste 
streams generated, the types of hazards presented, RCRA waste codes for 
these hazardous wastes (if readily available), and the quantities 
generated.
    (5) Do your retail stores have written procedures for handling 
hazardous waste spills? On average, how many spills of hazardous waste 
occur monthly?
    (6) Do retail stores generate any wastes that qualify as universal 
wastes in 40 CFR 273? \9\ If so, is that waste handled under the full 
hazardous waste regulations or under the universal waste regulations? 
Describe the types of products and volumes generated monthly. Are there 
ways EPA could help the retail sector utilize the U.W. program?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The following wastes are Universal Waste under the federal 
RCRA program: batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, 
and lamps.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (7) How do your retail stores generate and handle recalls that may 
potentially become hazardous waste?
    (8) For manufacturer-directed changes of product, how are the 
unused products managed? Who determines how these unused products are 
managed?
    (9) How do you handle customer returns that may become hazardous 
waste?
    (10) If you have pharmaceuticals, what percentage of your monthly 
hazardous waste and/or monthly acute hazardous waste quantities are 
pharmaceuticals?
    (11) If you have pesticides, what percentage of your monthly 
hazardous waste and/or monthly acute hazardous waste quantities are 
pesticides?

C. Information About Episodic Generation

    EPA regulations require hazardous waste generators to count the 
amount of hazardous waste generated each calendar month to determine 
their regulatory status and to manage that waste based on the 
regulations associated with that monthly generator status. EPA 
understands that retail facilities' regulatory status can periodically 
change as a result of certain unusual episodic events, such as a recall 
or seasonal merchandise changes. EPA would like to better understand 
the ramifications of the hazardous waste regulations in the context of 
episodic generation for both the retail sector and the State regulators 
by posing the following suggested questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) In the course of a calendar year, how often, on average, does a 
retail store's quantity of hazardous waste change, resulting in a 
change to the retail stores regulatory status from a CESQG to a SQG or 
an LQG or an SQG to an LQG?
    (2) When the regulatory status of a store changes, what are the 
reasons most

[[Page 8934]]

often precipitating this change? More specifically, to what extent are 
changes due to recalls, spills, expired products, returns by customers, 
or other reasons? Does any one reason stand out?
    (3) How do you currently address changes in a store's regulatory 
status? For example, do you factor in the possibility of a more 
stringent regulatory status and comply with the more stringent 
regulations throughout the year? Do you comply based on the regulatory 
status for the month(s) in question? Do you work with your state to 
address situations when episodic generation occurs? If so, how? Do you 
rely on a service provider to ensure compliance with hazardous waste 
laws, including generator status?
    (4) Do you have any suggestions as to how EPA could modify its 
rules to account for periodic changes in generator status? Please 
address scope (planned or unplanned), frequency of episodic events that 
should be allowed over a calendar year without impacting a generator's 
regulatory status, on-site and off-site provisions, such as 
notification, time to remove materials from the facility and ship them 
for recycling or to a RCRA permitted treatment, storage and disposal 
facility (TSDF), etc.
    (5) Does your state have a specific policy for dealing with 
episodic generation? Have you seen any impacts (e.g., spills or other 
releases) from such episodes?

D. Information About Retail Stores' Hazardous Waste Programs

    The retail sector is extremely diverse in terms of products sold 
and store size; therefore corporations may have developed specific 
methods to manage their hazardous waste generation. We request 
commenters provide data that helps characterize how hazardous wastes 
are currently being managed at retail establishments. More 
specifically, EPA would like to better understand the process or 
standard operating procedures facility personnel use to determine 
whether their retail products or other wastes are hazardous waste and 
how hazardous wastes are handled before being shipped off-site, or 
managed on-site by posing the following suggested questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) What amount of hazardous waste do you generate in your 
store(s)? Monthly? Yearly? Please provide this data in pounds, if 
possible.
    (2) Describe what procedures you have in place to classify which 
products or other wastes would be hazardous wastes upon discard. For 
example, to the extent applicable, please include information on color 
coding products, computer based systems, third party services, or 
information from suppliers or manufacturers that assist you in making a 
hazardous waste determination.
    (3) How and where do you accumulate your hazardous waste at your 
facility? Do you have written procedures in place for hazardous waste 
management?
    (4) How frequently do you send your hazardous wastes off-site, if 
applicable, for management or disposal? Where do you send your 
hazardous waste (e.g., a RCRA hazardous waste facility, a municipal 
solid waste facility, or a hazardous waste recycler)?
    (5) Does your facility have any specific requirements for 
management of hazardous wastes on-site (e.g., secondary containment)?

E. Information About Hazardous Waste Employee Training

    Employee training conditions for hazardous waste generators vary 
depending on whether the facility is a CESQG, an SQG, or an LQG. CESQGs 
are not required to provide personnel training, while SQGs have basic 
provisions and LQGs have more prescriptive provisions. Retail 
operations may have difficulty training their staff due to the 
relatively high levels of turnover and part time and seasonal 
employees. EPA notes that only those employees handling hazardous waste 
must be trained. Therefore, EPA seeks answers to the following 
suggested questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) What is the average number of employees per retail store or 
facility?
    (2) How many temporary/seasonal employees on average do individual 
retail stores hire each year?
    (3) Do all employees receive RCRA hazardous waste training, or just 
permanent employees or employees who handle products or other wastes 
that could be hazardous wastes upon discard?
    (4) What types of hazardous waste management training do your 
employees receive, if any?
    (5) How many hours of employee training on hazardous waste issues 
are required in your retail stores?
    (6) What is the average cost per employee of providing hazardous 
waste training to your work force annually?
    (7) Are any employees trained to handle hazardous waste releases or 
does the retail store utilize a third party service for cleanup 
efforts?

F. Information About Aerosol Cans

    EPA understands the retail sector generates large quantities of 
aerosol cans that are discarded. It has been suggested by some members 
of the retail sector that waste aerosol cans can be grouped into four 
categories: (1) Aerosol cans that contain non-hazardous propellant and 
the remaining can contents are non-hazardous (either by listing or 
characteristic); (2) aerosol cans that contain propellants that are 
traditional ignitable fuel sources such as propane or butane, but the 
remaining contents are non-hazardous (either by listing or 
characteristic); (3) aerosol cans that contain propellants that are 
traditional ignitable fuel sources such as propane or butane, and the 
remaining contents are also hazardous (either by listing or 
characteristic); and (4) aerosol cans that contain ignitable hazardous 
propellants that are not traditional fuel sources, and the remaining 
contents may or may not be hazardous (either by listing or 
characteristic). EPA would like to gain a better understanding of the 
aerosol can wastestream to determine if any action should be taken to 
aid in the management of aerosol cans that are discarded. Therefore, 
EPA seeks answers to the following suggested questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) How many waste aerosol cans does a retail store generate 
monthly on average? How many does your entire company average monthly?
    (2) In which categories (from above) do your waste aerosol cans 
belong or do they fall under another category? How many waste aerosol 
cans do you generate in each category?
    (3) How do you manage your aerosol cans? Are they recycled? Are 
they disposed?
    If your store is in California or Colorado, do you handle your 
waste aerosol cans as Universal Waste?
    (4) What percentage do the waste aerosol cans constitute in your 
total hazardous wastestream?
    (5) What packaging and shipping methods are used to transport 
aerosol cans from retail stores?
    (6) Have you ever experienced problems shipping aerosol cans? How 
often do you receive aerosol cans that have been damaged in 
transportation? (e.g., Did the aerosol can burst from heat? Did a 
pallet fall over damaging the aerosol can?)
    (7) Has your State developed any specific approach, whether through 
guidance or regulation for aerosol cans?

[[Page 8935]]

G. Information About Transportation and Reverse Logistics

    In previous meetings with the retail sector, participants asked if 
EPA could harmonize EPA's hazardous waste regulations with DOT's 
hazardous material regulations. To evaluate if there maybe viable 
options for harmonization, we would like to obtain additional 
information about retail shipping practices (in particular reverse 
logistics) and how the point of generation of hazardous waste (i.e., 
when and where the hazardous waste is first generated) affects 
shipping. Therefore, EPA seeks answers to the following suggested 
questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) What safeguards do you use to ship retail items through reverse 
logistics to ensure minimal damage?
    (2) Are the shipping and packaging procedures you use for sending 
retail items through reverse logistics the same as the packaging and 
shipping procedures for products coming into the retail store? If not, 
how do they differ?
    (3) Of the items sent through reverse logistics, how many are sent 
in DOT Classes 1-8, and approximately how many or what percentage are 
in each Class?
    (4) What methods do you use to track the shipments and what 
information about the shipments is tracked (e.g., amount of shampoo, 
brand of shampoo, sku-numbers, etc.)?
    (5) Does your state have specific tracking and reporting 
regulations for reverse logistics?

H. Information About Reverse Logistic Centers

    Industry representatives have told us that reverse logistic centers 
(RLCs) are critical in maintaining an efficient reverse logistics 
system for the retail industry. RLCs can consolidate large quantities 
of goods from all the stores in a region, which then allows companies 
to resell, recycle, donate or dispose of these items more efficiently 
due to economies of scale. Industry representatives have suggested that 
sending all of their non-damaged/non-leaking products to an RLC could 
increase recycling, donation and reselling due to larger quantities at 
one location. To learn more, EPA seeks answers to the following 
suggested questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) How many reverse logistic centers do your company own and 
operate? If you do not own your own RLC, do you use a third party RLC 
and how do they operate these centers? Does that third party RLC manage 
multiple companies' retail products at the same RLC? Specific issues on 
which EPA is soliciting comment are: Point of generation, tracking 
multiple companies waste at one center, and waste management.
    (2) How many retail stores are serviced by the RLC and what is the 
average distance from a retail store to the RLC?
    (3) What is the regulatory status of the RLC? How many are CESQGs 
vs. SQGs vs. LQGs?
    (4) Do you receive credit for your returned retail products? Who 
gives you the credit and what is the process for receiving credit 
(e.g., receive credit as a manufacturer discount when purchasing the 
product)? What is the annual value of credit that you receive?
    (5) What process and procedures does the RLC use to determine if 
material will be sold, donated, recycled, or disposed? On average what 
types of products and volumes are recycled, disposed, and donated 
annually?
    (6) To whom do you donate? Are there certain procedures you take 
before donating? Are there certain products you will not donate? Do the 
existing RCRA hazardous waste rules present barriers to donating 
products? If so, what are they? Has your state adopted policies or 
regulations to make it easier for your retail facility to donate 
products?
    (7) Do your supplier contracts specify that items not sellable in 
the store must be disposed? If so, is it all contracts or can you 
estimate, what percentage contain this stipulation?

I. Information About Sustainability Efforts Undertaken by Retail 
Facilities

    EPA's programs intend to promote and facilitate sustainability 
through sustainable materials management initiatives that seek to 
minimize impacts across the entire material lifecycle, from raw 
material extraction to waste management strategies, such as recycling 
and reuse, as well as through labeling green products and promoting 
green chemistry and engineering practices. (http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/) Retail industry representatives have suggested some 
concerns about re-using materials containing hazardous wastes and that 
the hazardous waste regulations may impede certain sustainability 
efforts. To better understand these issues, EPA seeks answers to the 
following suggested questions.
    Suggested Questions to Consider for Comment Submission:
    (1) What material reuse issues have you encountered?
    (2) What changes to the hazardous waste generator policies, 
guidances or regulations might allow you to increase your company's 
sustainability efforts?
    (3) Do your retail stores collect batteries or mercury lamps for 
recycling? Do your retail stores collect any other hazardous wastes 
from customers?
    (4) Do your retail stores operate collection or buyback programs 
for electronics? If so, what mechanism is used for the collection or 
buyback program? Are there regulatory barriers to your retail facility 
collecting or participating in electronic take-back programs?
    (5) To what extent do you work with your suppliers to identify 
products that are classified as hazardous waste upon discard? Please 
provide examples.
    (6) To what extent do you work with your suppliers to identify 
products that are classified as hazardous waste or initiate changes to 
feedstocks or manufacturing processes resulting in products that are 
not a hazardous waste upon discard or are reduced in volume or 
toxicity? Please provide examples.

    Dated: February 4, 2014.
Mathy Stanislaus,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
[FR Doc. 2014-02930 Filed 2-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P