Is household hazardous waste exempt from DOT regulations when shipped to a disposal facility?

Household hazardous waste is not exempt from Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations when it is shipped to a disposal facility. While the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) does provide certain exemptions for household hazardous waste in terms of management and disposal at the state and local levels, DOT regulations still apply during the transportation of hazardous materials.

When household hazardous waste is collected and prepared for transportation, it must be packaged, labeled, and transported in compliance with the applicable DOT regulations. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of waste handlers, transporters, and the general public, as well as for preventing environmental contamination. Thus, even though household hazardous waste is managed differently than industrial hazardous waste, it still falls under the jurisdiction of DOT when it is being transported.

In summary, the requirement for compliance with DOT regulations highlights the importance of safety and regulatory oversight in the handling and transportation of potentially dangerous materials.