For Release: October 7, 2008                                           
Contact: John McDowell
(202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 08-28 ADVO                                    

Reformed Rule Encourages Small Firms To Recycle

EPA Acts On Advocacy 2008 r3 Top 10 Rule for Review And Reform

        WASHINGTON, D.C. – Small businesses will be encouraged to recycle and reclaim their waste under a reformed rule recently finalized by the EPA.  As part of the Regulatory Review and Reform (r3) initiative, the Office of Advocacy named the “definition of solid waste” as one of this year’s Top 10 Rules for Review and Reform.

        “EPA has listened to the voice of small business,” said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy.  “By reviewing and reforming the definition of solid waste EPA is encouraging recycling rather than disposal.  Small businesses care about the environment and EPA’s reform will reward businesses that recycle with less paperwork.”

        Currently, many useful materials that could otherwise be recycled are required to be handled, transported, and disposed of as hazardous waste.  These requirements are more costly and complex than those for materials recovered for reuse.

        In reforming the rule, EPA streamlined requirements for certain hazardous secondary materials including:

• Materials generated and legitimately reclaimed under the control of the generator;
• Materials transferred to another company for legitimate reclamation; and
• Materials that the EPA or an authorized state determines to be non-waste through a case-by-case petition process.

        In February, Advocacy announced the 2008 Top 10 Rules for Review and Reform.  The Top 10 were drawn from over 80 rules nominated by small business owners and their representatives.  Advocacy is committed to helping reduce the $1.1 trillion yearly cost to Americans of complying with all with federal regulations.  The long-term r3 initiative does this by working with federal agencies and small business owners to review and reform existing rules that are outdated and ineffective. 

        The Office of Advocacy, the “small business watchdog” of the federal government, examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the President.  It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats, and it funds research into small business issues.

        For more information on the r3 initiative, visit www.sba.gov.advo/r3.

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The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government.  The presidentially appointed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers.  For more information, visit www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.