5: MUNICIPAL WASTE.

Current laws controlling hazardous waste disposal don't apply to household waste. Still, trash from private homes contains some chemicals that would be called "hazardous" if they came from industry. Cities and other local governments can be liable for cleanup costs of residential waste if they own or used to own a landfill in which hazardous waste was disposed. Many local governments and citizens' groups don't believe municipal waste is a significant problem. Amendments to the Superfund program, a program for maintaining hazardous waste sites are expected to address the question of municipal waste and liability.