Development of Oregon’s Hazardous Waste Program

Over 2,100,000 cu ft (58,800 cu m) of hazardous wastes and over 2,200,000 of contaminated containers were discarded during 1972 in Oregon. Because of the hazardous nature of these wastes, advanced methods are required for their proper treatment or disposal. Suitable methods for treatment or disposal of hazardous wastes cost 10 - 40 times more than the environmentally unsatisfactory alternatives. The DEO has developed proposed administrative rules for hazardous waste management in Oregon including: (1) Criteria for classification of wastes as hazardous; (2) basic requirements for hazardous waste management from the point of waste generation to the point of ultimate disposition; and (3) list of wastes classified as hazardous. The DEO is working to establish a statewide system for hazardous waste collection and disposal, with several regional collection facilities and one or two hazardous waste disposal sites.