Relieves Long-Term Burden L iability for hazardous waste begins as soon as it is generated and can last forever. Under state regulations, generators are responsible for the hazardous waste generated from the time the waste is created until after it has been accepted at a treatment, storage, disposal, or recycling facility. Under Federal Superfund laws generators can be held liable for cleanup costs if mismanagement occurs. The Dangerous Waste Regulations are designed to help generators prevent releases to the environment. They also help ensure releases are controlled, contained, and, if necessary, remediated or cleaned up.
Most waste is transported off-site.
If there is an accident, the generator can be held liable for any release that occurs while the hazardous waste is in transit. That's why generators should use only reputable, knowledgeable transporters that ship wastes in accordance with the Dangerous Waste Regulations and Department of Transportation regulations. Make sure the waste is taken to a legitimate recycler or a permitted treatment, storage or disposal facility. The best solution is to generate less, or better still, no hazardous waste. If you don't create a potential environmental hazard, you won't have as many worries about long-term liability.