This report discusses a collaborative project initiated by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to establish and evaluate a performance-based approach to management of hazardous wastes in the laboratories of academic research institutions. Participants in the project included ten academic research institutions and representatives from state and federal environmental regulatory agencies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commends HHMI, the ten participating academic research institutions, and other participants on their efforts to improve hazardous waste management in academic research laboratories through development and demonstration of a robust set of consensus best practices. EPA recognizes academic research institutions have had difficulty complying with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations due largely to their industry-oriented framework. Therefore, EPA supports developing effective alternatives for safely managing hazardous wastes in academic research institutions that meet standards for protection of human health and the environment. Although EPA believes that the current RCRA regulations are flexible and may allow for the implementation of the majority of the best practices developed through the project, it also believes that in some cases regulatory changes may be required. EPA also believes that the regulatory change process allows the Agency to consider views from diverse stakeholders as well as promotes national consistency. EPA plans to issue a guidance memo shortly that will address some concerns of academic institutions by clarifying existing EPA policy and how it impacts laboratory wastes and operations. At the same time EPA looks forward to working with HHMI as well as other laboratory associations, states, EPA Regions, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the public to develop an approach that builds upon the consensus best practices as well as other ongoing efforts to provide labs needed flexibility while maintaining effective protection for human health and the environment. EPA expects to begin a coordinated project this spring that follows up on the recommendations of this report and integrates other ongoing work addressing related issues.