Waste

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste can significantly impact human health and the environment. EPN's volunteers spent decades working to reduce waste, safely dispose of waste, clean-up waste, and protect people from dangerous exposures. But the work is far from over, and EPN's volunteers are continuing to help advocate for policies that offer better protections, especially in disadvantaged communities.

May 20, 2026

EPN Comments on Protecting Public Health and Unleashing American Energy by Facilitating Scrap Tire Pile Cleanups

On May 20, 2026, EPN submitted formal comments regarding EPA's proposed rule to facilitate scrap tire pile cleanups, acknowledging that abandoned tire piles pose urgent…

Climate Waste

April 17, 2024

EPN Sends Letter to Congressional Committees on PFAS Exemptions from CERCLA

On April 18, 2024, EPN sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding legislation…

Superfund Toxic Substances

March 7, 2024

EPN Comments on EPA’s Proposed Definition of Hazardous Waste Applicable to Corrective Action for Releases From Solid Waste Management Units

On March 7, 2024, EPN submitted comments on EPA's proposal to amend the definition of hazardous waste applicable to corrective action for releases from solid…

Waste

August 18, 2022

Letter Suggesting That PFOA and PFOS Be Designated as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA

EPN sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management Barry Breen urging EPA…

Chemicals & Pesticides Toxic Substances

May 6, 2022

EPN Comments on Draft Environmental Justice Plan for EPA’s Land Protection and Cleanup Programs

EPN submitted comments on OLEM's Environmental Justice Action Plan. EPN supported EPA’s and OLEM’s goal to proactively achieve environmental justice by building on its past…

Environmental Justice Superfund

December 20, 2019

EPN Writes a Letter on Proposed EAB Amendments

In response to EPA's proposal to revise the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB), EPN submitted a letter finding that the EAB process is not broken and…

Air Drinking Water

February 12, 2018

EPA Core Programs—Waste

Starting with the 1976 Resource Recovery and Conservation Act, the EPA has been instrumental in ensuring adequate hazardous waste management, banning waste dumping, and preventing…

Budget and Appropriations Core Programs Fact Sheets

April 14, 2025

Trump Targets State Climate Laws, Escalates Deregulatory Agenda

Jeremy Symons, Senior Adviser to EPN, was quoted in WasteDive. The White House released new orders last week targeting state laws related to climate change and…

In The News via WasteDive

March 24, 2025

Breaking Down What Deregulation Means for Landfills

EPN was mentioned in an article by WasteDive about how the regulatory rollbacks announced by EPA will immediately affect populations near waste sites.

In The News via WasteDive

January 15, 2025

‘A Trash Can For The US’: Anger in Mexico and Canada Over Toxic Waste Shipments

Barnes Johnson, former Director, EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, was quoted in The Guardian about exporting hazardous waste from the US to Mexico…

In The News via The Guardian

October 1, 2024

Black-Colored Plastic Used for Kitchen Utensils and Toys Linked to Banned Toxic Flame Retardants

Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP), was quoted in CNN about the…

In The News via CNN

August 5, 2024

Microplastics Are Everywhere, But Are They Harming Us?

Tracey Woodruff, former EPA senior scientist and policy advisor in the Office of Policy and Director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment…

In The News via AP News

July 20, 2024

Does ‘Compostable’ Plastic Actually Break Down? Here’s What To Know.

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 and founder of Beyond Plastics, was quoted in The Washington Post about Beyond Plastics’ most recent report…

In The News via The Washington Post

July 17, 2024

Shell Quietly Backs Away From Pledge to Increase ‘Advanced Recycling’ of Plastics

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 and founder of Beyond Plastics, was quoted in The Guardian about Shell’s failed pledge to recycle…

In The News via The Guardian

July 12, 2024

EMC Delays PFAS Action Again, Considers Taking Broader Role Over Pollution Discharge Permits

Betsy Southerland, former Director of the Office of Science and Technology in EPA’s Office of Water, was quoted in The Port City Daily about the…

In The News via Port City Daily

July 11, 2024

Green Group Calls on Feds to Research, Regulate Bioplastics

Judith Enck, former Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 and founder of Beyond Plastics, was quoted in Politico about a recent Beyond Plastics report that…

In The News via Politico Pro