The RCRA consists of 10 subsections each addressing its own issues.
Subtitle A: General Provisions
Subtitle B: Office of Solid Waste; Authorities of the Administrator
Subtitle C: "Cradle to Grave" requirements
Subtitle D: Non-hazardous Solid Wastes
Subtitle E: Dept of Commerce Responsibilities
Subtitle F: Federal Responsibilities
Subtitle G: Miscellaneous Provisions
Subtitle H: Research, Development, Demonstration and Information
Subtitle I: Underground Storage Tanks
Today the RCRA is far different from its original form. It has been amended countless times. The Federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments were added in 1984 and focused on waste minimization and phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste. Some of the other mandates of these amendments include increased enforcement authority for the EPA and more stringent hazardous waste management standards. Originally the RCRA did not include the subsection on Underground Storage Tanks but it was amended in 1986 to allow the EPA to address environmental problems that could result from underground tanks storing petroleum and other hazardous substances.
As well as addressing each of these issues the RCRA is responsible for the management of all waste disposal sites. This means that public landfills, incinerators, and sewage treatment plants (also known as TSDF's or Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities) are all managed by organizations such as the EPA.
