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Rhode Island DEM Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Regulations

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) regulates hazardous waste, as well as medical waste and waste oil. The RIDEM does not regulate hazardous materials that are usable products that can be sold and used as they are such as gasoline. However, when these materials are released into the environment, including the air, soil, or water, they immediately become hazardous waste, making them subject to the state's DEM regulations.

  1. Hazardous Materials Releases

    • Releases of hazardous materials into the environment require site remediation. RIDEM has the authority to require cleanup in situations where soil and groundwater standards are exceeded. RIDEM must also be notified if an owner becomes aware of the release of hazardous materials, even if the release happened under previous ownership. RIDEM has specific standards for cleanup of releases of hazardous materials in soil and groundwater that are listed at the website below.

    Hazardous Waste Management

    • RIDEM governs the generation, transportation, and treatment of hazardous waste, commonly known as the RCRA program after its federal counterpart founded under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. RIDEM administers the federal RCRA program for all aspects of hazardous waste management except the land disposal restrictions and releases into the air from tanks and containers. In addition to federal hazardous waste, Rhode Island is more stringent and regulates some other wastes as hazardous. These include mineral spirits with a flash point over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, PCBs, and products that contain mercury at levels below federal standards.

    Infectious Medical Waste

    • RIDEM regulates medical and infectious waste under its own set of regulations. Blood-stained items from human or animal treatment, as well as needles, are classified as regulated medical waste. Most medical waste is produced by health care providers, veterinarians or laboratories.

    Underground Storage Tanks

    • Underground storage tanks containing oil or hazardous materials have to be registered with Rhode Island's DEM. Leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) are also regulated by RIDEM's Office of Waste Management. Usually underground storage tanks contain fuel or other petroleum products.

    Asbestos

    • RIDEM regulates asbestos as a special solid waste. Although asbestos cannot legally be disposed of as regular solid waste, it is not classified as a hazardous waste. Its removal and handling is regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Health's Asbestos Control Program.

    Right to Know

    • RIDEM does not enforce the rules regarding storage of hazardous wastes in the workplace environment, not does it regulate community right to know requirements. These are commonly known as SARA Title 3 under the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. The act was passed by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1986 to protect those living in residential neighborhoods against chemical plant dangers, notify emergency planning organizations of chemical spills, and post warning to employees that they are working with hazardous substances. This program is run by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

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