Retail groups raise concern on proposed EPA waste management regulations

A number of retail associations recently voiced their thoughts on new waste management regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding how retailers should deal with unsold consumer and medicinal products.

While the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the National Retail Federation (NRF) called the action to update the regulations "an important step forward," they raised concern that the rules could potentially prevent retailers from reusing or recycling the products.

“Although portions of the proposals may offer some relief, the suggested frameworks fall short of easing the burden on retailers who want to manage unsold products in a more sustainable fashion, rather than discarding potentially useful or recyclable items," Sue Pifer, VP of compliance at RILA, said. “The retail associations again emphasize in their comments that most unsold consumer products and pharmaceuticals are not ‘wastes,' due to the fact that many are suitable for re-shelving, donation, recycling, liquidation or shipment back to vendors for credit.”

Under the proposed regulations, businesses that produce small amounts of hazardous waste would be able to avoid strict requirements and small quantity waste generators will be allowed to bring toxic waste collected from multiple locations to a large quantity generator such as a distribution center. Additionally, health-care facilities would be provided with specific rules on how to handle hazardous waste drugs.