Which federal act is primarily concerned with managing hazardous waste disposal?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the federal act primarily concerned with managing hazardous waste disposal. This legislation was enacted to address the increasing volume of hazardous waste and the growing need for an effective regulatory framework to ensure safe disposal practices.

RCRA establishes a comprehensive system for the management of hazardous waste, from its generation to its treatment, storage, and final disposal. The act's purpose is to protect human health and the environment by minimizing the dangers associated with hazardous waste. It requires generators of hazardous waste to follow specific guidelines for the safe handling and disposal of these materials, promoting recycling and waste reduction as well.

Other acts, while important to environmental protection and safety, do not focus specifically on hazardous waste management. The Clean Air Act, for instance, is primarily about regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to ensure air quality. The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act deals with the transport of hazardous materials but does not cover their disposal. The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (often referred to as Superfund) relates to the cleanup of contaminated sites rather than the management of hazardous waste disposal itself.

Thus, RCRA stands out as the main legislative framework for hazardous waste management.