To which agency do the regulations regarding hazardous waste disposal primarily apply?

The regulations regarding hazardous waste disposal primarily apply to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because this agency is tasked with implementing and enforcing laws aimed at protecting human health and the environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which governs the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, falls under the jurisdiction of the EPA. This includes creating standards for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal to ensure that waste management practices minimize risks to the environment and public health.

The EPA establishes guidelines that facilities and generators must follow to properly handle hazardous waste, conduct inspections, and enforce compliance. This regulatory authority is crucial for managing waste in a way that supports both ecological and public safety, making the EPA the central agency in this domain. Other agencies, while important in their specific areas, do not focus directly on hazardous waste disposal regulations like the EPA does.