Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

The hazardous waste program in the State of Illinois is a state implementation of portions of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This act was signed into law in 1976, and consisted of amendments to the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1956. Regulations implementing RCRA became effective on November 8, 1980. Revisions to RCRA, referred to as the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) were made in 1984 as more information has become available about the amount and types of waste we generate.

The intent of the hazardous waste program is to provide a cradle-to-grave management scheme for hazardous wastes to ensure that these wastes are not mismanaged in a manner that will impact human health or the environment. At Illinois EPA, the Bureau of Land Permit Section is responsible for implementing the hazardous waste program. If you have any questions not answered here, contact the Permit Section by phone at 217-524-3300 or by email at EPA.BOL.Permits@illinois.gov.

Addtional Resources
RCRA Permit Applications
Illinois EPA RCRA permit applications & instructions, fact sheets, and more

RCRA Laws and Regulations (USEPA)
RCRA overview, history, rules & regulations, and more