640 Fermentation and Biochemical Engineering Handbook 2.3 Solid Waste Resource Conservation and Recovery Act(RCRA)(Solid Waste Disposal Act) was originally enacted by Congress in 1976 and amended several times subsequently. The 1984 amendments set deadlines for enforc- ing the regulations. They also placed restrictions on disposal of wastes on andand forced tighter regulation of hazardous wastes Ineffect, Congress gave EPA the authority to control hazardous wastes from their generation to their ultimate disposal Congress also sought to encourage the recycling of recoverable material. The RCra included the statements that Millions oftons of recoverable material which could be used are needlessly buried each year Methods are available to separate usable materials from solid waste The recovery and conservation of such materials can reduce the dependence of the United States on foreign resources and reduce the deficit in its balance of payments Principally, however, Congress aimed at the environment and health Disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste in or on the land without careful planning and management can present a danger to human health and the environment As a result of the Clean Air Act. the Water Pollution Control Act, and other federal and state laws respecting public health and the environment, greater amounts of solid waste in the form of sludge and other pollution treatment residues have been created. Similarly, inadequate and environmen tally unsound practices for the disposal or use of solid waste have created increased amounts of air and water pollution and other problems for the environment and health Open dumping is particularly harmful to health since it can contaminate drinking water from underground and surface supplies and pollutes the air and land640 Fermentation and Biochemical Engineering Handbook 2.3 Solid Waste Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (Solid Waste Disposal Act) was originally enacted by Congress in 1976 and amended several times subsequently. The 1984 amendments set deadlines for enforc￾ing the regulations. They also placed restrictions on disposal of wastes on land and forced tighter regulation of hazardous wastes. In effect, Congress gave EPA the authority to control hazardous wastes from their generation to their ultimate disposal. Congress also sought to encourage the recycling of recoverable material. The RCRA included the statements that: Millions oftons of recoverablematerial which could be used are needlessly buried each year. Methods are available to separate usable materials from solid waste. The recovery and conservation of such materials can reduce the dependence ofthe United States on foreign resources and reduce the deficit in its balance of payments. Principally, however, Congress aimed at the environment and Disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste in or on the land without carehl planning and management can present a danger to human health and the environment. As aresult ofthe Clean Air Act, the Water Pollution Control Act, and other federal and state laws respecting public health and the environment, greater amounts of solid waste, in the form of sludge and other pollution treatment residues, have been created. Similarly, inadequate and environmen￾tally unsound practices for the disposal or use of solid waste have created increased amounts of air and water pollution and other problems for the environment and health. Open dumping is particularly harmful to health since it can contaminate drinking water from underground and surface supplies and pollutes the air and land. health: