General Description
The disposal of unwanted items, whether the dumping is done by Federal personnel or facility neighbors and visitors.
Summary of Federal Requirements
Open dumping is prohibited. An open dumping is defined as a land disposal site at which solid wastes are disposed of in a manner that does not protect the environment, are susceptible to open burning, and are exposed to the elements, vectors, and scavengers.
Open dumping can include solid waste disposal facilities or practices that pose a reasonable probability of adverse effects on health or the environment.
An officially designated Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) is not an open dump.
An officially designated Sanitary Waste Landfill is not an open dump.
An officially designated Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill is not an open dump.
If items such as refrigerators are dumped on federal property, unless the owners can be identified, the Federal Agency is responsible for disposal, including appropriate handling of CFCs/halons or hazardous waste.
Summary of State Requirements
States may have categories of regulated landfills which are not open dumps other than those found in federal regulations.
Laws and Statutes
The Resources Conservation and Recovery Act, Subtitle D
