Information Resources

E-Docket - EPA's New Electronic Public Docket and Comment System was announced in the Federal Register. Formerly known as the Regulatory Public Access System, RPAS, this on-line system allows viewers to search the Agency's major public dockets on-line, view the index listing of the contents for the dockets included in the system, and access those materials that are available on-line. Viewers are also able to submit comments on-line when a particular docket is open for public comment. The Office of Solid Waste will continue to put rulemakings and support materials on-line and in hard copy at the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC).

Envirofacts Warehouse provides users with direct access to environmental information contained in various EPA databases including hazardous waste, Superfund information, toxic releases, facility information, risk management plans, grants/funding, water permits, and drinking water contaminant occurrence.

Enviromapper allows users to map various types of environmental information, including hazardous waste, water discharge permits, toxic and air releases, watersheds, and Superfund sites. Enviromapper can also be used to spatially view environmental statistics, profiles, and trends.

Facts About Municipal Solid Waste/Recycling presents information, data, and trends concerning solid waste generation in the United States and recycling rates.

General Solid Waste Sites

• America Recycles Day Web Site - Annual event sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency
• Earth 911 - provides the public with community-specific environmental information: recycling, buying recyled products, household hazardous waste, kid's section, energy conservation, composting and dozens of other resources
• Hazardous Substance Research Centers - exploring the practical problems of hazardous substance management as well as long-term, exploratory research
• Global Recycling Network - comprehensive Recycling Information and Trading Resource on the Internet. It offers a one-stop solution to recycling information needs

OSW Software and Databases This web page provides links to various software and databases developed by the Office of Solid Waste.

RCRA Online is a database that is designed to enable users to locate documents, including publications and other outreach materials, that cover a wide range of RCRA issues and topics.

RCRA Call Center is a publicly accessible service that provides up-to-date information on several EPA programs. The Call Center also responds to requests for relevant publications and information resources.

Science Inventory is a searchable, Agency-wide catalog of current, recently completed, and archived science activities and products. It contains thousands of records providing information such as project descriptions, contacts for additional information and electronic links to related work and final reports. Users can perform keyword searches or can search within specific science topics such as, genomics, tribal science, and children’s health.

Small Business Are you a small business? Do you want to know if your waste is regulated or how to reduce the amount of waste you generate? To learn more about these topics and find environmental information and resources for small businesses, visit the links on this website.

Trade Groups and Environmental Associations

• Air and Waste Management Association - a nonprofit technical, scientific and educational organization with a long history of dedication to critical environmental decision making
• Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO) - focuses on the needs of state hazardous waste programs, nonhazardous municipal solid waste and industrial waste programs
• Environmental Industry Association Interactive (EIA) - represents about 2,000 companies that manage solid, hazardous, and medical wastes; manufacture and distribute waste equipment; and offer related pollution-prevention services.
• Environmental Technology Council Hazardous Waste Resource Center - a trade association of commercial environmental firms that recycle, treat and dispose of industrial and hazardous wastes, and firms involved in cleanup of contaminated sites.
• Glass Packaging Institute - provides instantly accessible information on the glass container industry
• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) - national trade association representing companies that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, and textiles
• International City/County Management Association (ICMA) - the professional and educational association for administrators serving local governments around the world
• Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials (MACREDO) - an organization of recycling and economic development interests of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. It's mission is to identify, promote, and implement projects and programs that enhance recycling and economic development opportunities on a regional basis.
  
• The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) - dedicated to the advancement of the environmental professions in the U.S. and abroad
• National Association of Counties - represents county governments; special projects include the environment and sustainable communities
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) - comprehensive information, research on critical state issues, and informative publications
• National League of Cities - the country's largest and most representative organization serving municipal governments
• National Recycling Coalition - a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and improvement of recycling, source reduction, composting, and reuse by providing technical information, education, training, outreach, and advocacy services to its members in order to conserve resources and benefit the environment
• National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) - part of the environmental industry associations which represents companies providing products and services for a better environment
• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) - advancing the practice of environmentally and economically sound municipal solid waste management

What You Can Do This website provides tips for consumers on solid and hazardous waste issues, such as recycling, dealing with used oil, reducing solid waste, composting and medical waste.

Window to My Environment allows users to easily access omprehensive information about air, land, and water by entering a zip code. The "window" integrates environmental data with local geographical features by pulling together information from several EPA databases.