CHAPTER 11
HAZARDOUS PROPERTY DISPOSAL
SECTION I. PURPOSE
11.1 Purpose. This chapter provides general information on disposing of hazardous materials
and hazardous wastes.
SECTION II. BACKGROUND
11.2 General
A. Proper disposal of hazardous property is essential to the protection of human health and the
environment. Generally, the same type of prudent care and handling procedures that apply to
hazardous materials are necessary in the management of hazardous wastes. Mismanagement or
improper disposal of a hazardous waste may involve expensive cleanup costs, and the potential
for imposition of heavy fines or penalties.
B. EPA promulgated regulations for the protection of human health and the environment are
established under RCRA. These regulations hold generators liable for the proper disposal of
their wastes under a "cradle to grave" concept. This concept involves the use of a uniform
manifest which provides an audit trail for verifying compliance with disposal regulations.
C. EPA administers the national environmental protection program and enforces the
regulations. However, operational and enforcement authority has been delegated to those
individual states which set up hazardous waste programs that are equivalent to the Federal
requirements. The states may also promulgate regulations that are more stringent than the
Federal regulations. Generators of hazardous wastes must be aware of these variances.
SECTION III. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE POLICY
11.3 Policy. DoD policy is to store and dispose of hazardous property in an environmentally
acceptable manner in accordance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, including
state and local laws. Various implementing regulations and guidance manuals have been
published by the individual components of the Department as well as joint publications.
SECTION IV. HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL RESPONSIBILITIES
and Marketing Service, has the mission responsibility for centralized disposal management of
certain categories of DoD generated hazardous property. DRMS administers contracts with
commercial hazardous waste disposal firms for the removal and ultimate disposal of these
wastes. These contracts are also used for disposing of excess hazardous material for which there
is no reutilization, transfer, donation, or sales potential.
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