The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was enacted in 1976. Enforcement began with known, heavy polluters and gradually worked through high profile industries, such as the petroleum and chemical industries and their customers. Healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists and laboratory technicians, have not traditionally been trained in this aspect of the law. Safety and Environmental Services professionals have been unaware of which waste pharmaceuticals meet RCRA hazardous waste definitions. Compliant pharmaceutical waste management has often “slipped through the cracks” except in those instances where enforcement has stimulated learning or high waste generation has made compliance a priority. To access RCRA, refer to the federal regulations at 40 CFR Chapter I Parts 260-265. For additional background material refer to the EPA's RCRA Orientation Manual.