What is the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning hazardous waste?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in regulating and enforcing standards related to hazardous waste management. This encompasses developing regulations that ensure the safe treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste to protect human health and the environment. The EPA sets parameters for hazardous waste identification, permits for treatment and disposal facilities, and compliance monitoring to ensure that industries adhere to these standards. By establishing requirements and prompting businesses to follow hazardous waste practices, the agency aims to minimize the risks associated with hazardous materials.

The other choices illustrate roles that the EPA does not fulfill. For instance, the agency does not actively collect hazardous waste from industries; that responsibility typically falls on waste management companies or the generators of the waste themselves. The goal of limiting hazardous waste generation to zero is impractical and not a mandated role of the EPA; instead, the focus is on reducing it to safe and manageable levels. Lastly, while the EPA does provide recommendations and guidelines, its functions extend far beyond mere recommendations to include a comprehensive regulatory framework that enforces compliance and ensures public safety.