EPA Seeks Input from Environmental Justice Community

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson made a commitment to reach out to communities historically under-represented in EPA decision-making. In that vein, she is requesting public input on a draft plan for assessing the potential impacts of its hazardous waste recycling rule on low-income, minority and tribal populations. To encourage safe recycling and to help conserve natural resources, EPA's Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) rule (published October 2008) modified the regulations for hazardous materials that are recycled. Lessons learned from the analysis of the DSW rule will be used to inform EPA's ongoing effort to strengthen the consideration of environmental justice in future rulemakings with the cooperation of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council through national roundtable discussions this winter. EPA is requesting comments from all stakeholders, including the environmental justice community. Find out more about the solid waste recycling rule and environmental justice roundtables at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/dsw/ej.htm