This online course explains the history of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), outlines U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for waste management and describes the “cradle-to-grave” approach to waste management.
In this awareness-level training for waste management facility personnel, you'll learn about RCRA regulatory requirements and the importance of regulated waste management. The course also trains you to identify solid, hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
The 1-Hour RCRA General Awareness course is ideal for new waste management facility personnel. RCRA standards apply to workers at small- and large-quantity waste generators, hazardous waste transporters, recycling facilities, treatment facilities, storage providers and disposal facilities.
Employees at Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) can complete 8-Hour RCRA Training to satisfy annual refresher training requirements under 40 CFR 262.17.
Complete Your RCRA Training Online
Our online RCRA General Awareness course has numerous benefits, including:
- 24/7 course access
- Guaranteed to pass
- Log on and off as needed
- Train anywhere with internet access
- You have 180 days to complete the course
Once you finish the course and pass a final exam on the core topics, you can instantly download your certificate of completion. The RCRA General Awareness course takes about 60 minutes to complete.
About the 1-Hour RCRA General Awareness Course
This online course contains three learning modules on RCRA regulations, the identification and management of solid waste and the EPA's cradle-to-the-grave approach to waste management.
Each module ends with a five-question quiz. You must score at least 80% on each quiz to advance to the next section. You will have an unlimited number of attempts to pass.
When you complete the course, you will be prompted to take a 20-question final exam. If you do not pass your exam on the first attempt, you can retake it until you get a passing score of 70% or higher.
After you complete the course and pass the final exam, your certificate of completion will be available for instant download.
Who Should Take the RCRA General Awareness Course?
This is an awareness-level course is designed for new waste management facility personnel.
This may include employees at:
- Small Quantity Generators (SQGs)
- Large Quantity Generators (LQGs)
- Hazardous waste transporters
- Recycling facilities
- Treatment facilities
- Storage providers
- Disposal facilities
Employers and workers should also be aware of federal and state regulations associated with hazardous waste compliance. Workers may need additional training if state-specific requirements apply.
Learning Objectives for RCRA General Awareness
The primary goal of this course is to introduce waste management workers to RCRA regulations and EPA requirements related to various types of solid waste.
Key topics covered in the course include:
- The importance of regulated waste management
- Identifying solid, hazardous and non-hazardous waste according to RCRA criteria
- Regulatory requirements associated with RCRA and subsequent amendments
- Purpose of the uniform hazardous waste manifest
You will also learn about the EPA's cradle-to-grave approach, which holds waste generators responsible for all the hazardous waste they produce from creation to disposal.
Course Outline for RCRA General Awareness
The RCRA General Awareness course is divided into three learning modules that cover key elements of RCRA regulations. You can find a full outline of each module below.
Module 1: RCRA Purpose and Scope
Topics covered in Module 1 include:
- The history of RCRA
- RCRA objectives
- Legislative overview
Learning objectives include:
- Explain the importance of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
- Describe the recycling and pollution prevention regulations relevant to industrial and municipal waste
Module 2: Waste Identification
Topics covered in Module 2 include:
- Solid waste
- Hazardous waste
- Listed wastes
- Characteristic wastes
- Mixed wastes
Learning objectives include:
- Describe what constitutes solid waste according to EPA regulatory text
- List the four hazardous waste characteristics detailed in RCRA
- Differentiate between hazardous and non-hazardous wastes
Module 3: The Cradle-to-Grave Approach
Topics covered in Module 3 include:
- Cradle-to-grave hazardous waste management
- Waste generator responsibility
- Stages of the waste management process
- The hazardous waste manifest system
Learning objectives include:
- Identify the goals of the EPA's cradle-to-grave approach to waste management
- Summarize the five stages of the waste management process
- Describe the basic requirements for hazardous waste generators and transporters
- List the information needed to complete the uniform hazardous waste manifest
Additional Links and Resources
Find more information about OSHA standards for waste management, including informative fact sheets and emergency preparedness standards.