RCRA Updates in New York Expected This Year

If you want to know how hazardous waste regulations in New York could change this year, the State's recently released regulatory agenda for 2025 provides some solid clues. Announced on January 8, the agenda provides details about New York State DEC’s plan to substantially revise the requirements applicable to hazardous waste generators.

We now know that NYSDEC plans to release a rule ("FedReg6") containing an eclectic mix of hazardous waste updates, many of these updates are RCRA provisions enacted by EPA between 2012 and 2020 that New York has not yet adopted.

Most generators will welcome regulatory reliefs in the FedReg6 rule, like a conditional exclusion for contaminated wipes under RCRA, and streamlined management rules for some car airbags. 

The rule would also add new restrictions and responsibilities for generators operating in New York State. Rules that are “more stringent” than before include a list of revisions from EPA’s RCRA Generator Improvement Rule, and deadlines for hazardous waste e-Manifests. 

10 "New" RCRA Rules Coming to New York

NYSDEC provides a list of RCRA Final Rules that will be included in the planned rulemaking package on their website. The list includes the Generator Improvements Rule, the e-Manifest Rule, revisions to the Definition of Solid Waste (DSW), and more. Here it is full:

• Solvent Contaminated Wipes Rule (2013)
• Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Rule (2014)
• Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest (e-Manifest) Rules (2014; 2018)
• EPA's 2008 Definition of Solid Waste Rule (As amended in 2015)
• Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities (2015)
• Hazardous Waste Export-Import Revisions (2016; 2017)
• Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (2016)
• Safe Management of Recalled Airbags Rule (2018)
• Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine Rule (2019)
• Modernizing Ignitable Liquids Determinations (2020)

NYSDEC also plans to include a number of state-initiated revisions as part of the FedReg6 rule. These include adding solar panels to the state Universal Waste Rule, updating requirements for liquid hazardous waste, and a rule related to used oil filters. 

Read more: Revisions Under Consideration—FedReg 6 Rulemaking 

Annual RCRA/New York Hazardous Waste Training

Get ahead of these major changes coming for hazardous waste generators! You can rely on Lion for annually required training that includes updated resources to highlight recent RCRA updates. 

When you attend the New York Hazardous Waste Management Webinar on March 3, you also receive a full year of Lion Membership for ongoing compliance support. That means that when the hazardous waste regulations change, you can turn to Lion for RCRA expertise, guidance, and clarification. 

See the full schedule of RCRA and hazardous materials training at Lion.com/2025

Tags: hazardous waste, New York, RCRA