They’ve identified forces that might shape a future waste and materials management program and suggested goals and the strategies that might be used to achieve those goals.
The stated objective of the work group findings was to stimulate thought and discussion about RCRA’s future without representing any formal federal or state agency policy or promoting a particular agenda.
The work group concludes that the RCRA program of the future will be influenced by these trends and directions:
- Resources—the pressure on resources to increase; new technologies that will change how resources are used and wasted; the need for a more sustainable use of resources
- Health and Risk—increase in number and amount of man-made chemicals and their potential risks; better understanding of the health effects of chemicals; improved methods of measuring/managing chemical risks
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- Industry—consumption and waste of different types of materials; market forces creating greater incentives to be more efficient and less wasteful; continuing need to ensure that wastes are handled safely
- Information—continuation of the information revolution; communication/information technology advances enhancing environmentally beneficial management of wastes and materials
- Globalization—more highly integrated global community; need for more internationalized environmental protections
- Society and Government—individuals having more influence in environmental decisions; size and cultural diversity of U.S. population necessitating clean environment as a basic civil and human right
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RCRA Goals in 2020
The work group believes the original mandates of RCRA are valid and will remain so in 2020: the protection of human health and the environment and the conservation of resources. But they are looking at three goals that could form the foundation of a new system of waste and materials management in 2020:
Goal # 1: Reduce waste and increase the efficient and sustainable use of resources.
Goal #2: Prevent exposures to humans and ecosystems from the use of hazardous chemicals.
Goal #3: Manage wastes and clean up chemical releases in a safe, environmentally sound manner.