Waste/Materials Management

Nearly everything we do generates some kind of waste. Waste generated at retail businesses can include both solid and hazardous wastes. Wastes include:

• Municipal waste such as corrugated boxes, appliances, shrink and stretch wraps, yard trimmings and food waste, discarded hangers and fixtures
  • Food Waste
    
    
• Industrial nonhazardous waste such as construction and demolition materials
  
  
• Hazardous waste such as cleaning fluids and pesticides

EPA manages these wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Additionally, partnership programs are in place to help businesses reduce the amount of waste generated. Waste reduction, reuse, and recycling can increase profits through increased revenues for recovered materials and by avoiding disposal costs. Further, waste reduction, reuse, and recycling reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy.