What is defined as a "corrective action" under RCRA?

The definition of "corrective action" under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) specifically refers to actions taken to clean up releases of hazardous waste into the environment. When hazardous waste is improperly managed and leads to contamination of soil, water, or air, corrective action is initiated to remediate those releases, ensuring that the environment is restored to a safe, acceptable condition. This process is a critical component of the RCRA framework, as it addresses contamination resulting from past practices of hazardous waste management that may pose risks to human health and the environment.

The other choices represent different aspects of hazardous waste management but do not align with the specific definition of "corrective action." For instance, preventing the generation of hazardous waste falls under waste minimization strategies; monitoring hazardous waste storage aligns with oversight and compliance activities; and recycling hazardous materials reflects resource recovery efforts, none of which directly involve cleanup measures for past releases.