The Environmental Protection Agency has put into effect a variety of regulations and guidelines that must be followed when disposing of any type of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Failure to follow these regulations can lead to heavy financial penalties and the possible shutdown of your operation until further actions can be taken to prevent further incidents. The regulations and guidelines differ from industry to industry depending on the type of waste produced and how its disposal will impact the environment.
Hazardous Waste Management
Hazardous waste management companies can help industries develop safe disposal methods that allow them to remain in compliance with government standards. Laboratories and manufacturing facilities look to waste management companies for affordable options that allow them to dispose of their hazardous and non-hazardous waste safely and affordably, reducing their overall impact on the environment. These companies can get the required permits to transport and dispose of a wide variety of materials. Because they handle such large volumes of waste, they are able to take care of the task much more affordable than a smaller company trying to do it on its own.
Transportation and Disposal of Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste
The transportation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste require permits that show the company is able to properly move and dispose of the material in question. There are different disposal requirements for every industry. Chemical labpacking services and disposal require the use of specific labels and containers. Lab disposal services and lab pack management teams understand the guidelines and will make sure lab pack disposal and specimen disposal systems are in place before disposal measures actually take place. The same is true for paint waste disposal, plating waste disposal and anodizing and plating waste disposal procedures.
Laboratory Waste Disposal
A laboratory chemical disposal and lab pack service have the containers and labels needed for both hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Laboratory waste that results from medical testing and procedures must be handled differently than chemical waste from other types of testing and research. Laboratory chemical waste disposal can include toxic by-products and contaminants that are produced or left-over from chemical testing or drug formulation research. This type of hazardous waste must be disposed of carefully so that the toxic waste is not released into the environment.
Chemical Waste Disposal
Chemical waste can be produced from several different industries. These include manufacturing, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and many others. Because the type of hazardous and non-hazardous waste varies, each industry has specific guidelines and regulations that must be followed. The EPA closely monitors these industries and will levy fines against companies who fail to remain in compliance.
Chemical disposal can have a devastating impact on the environment, especially if they are biodegradable. As they break down, other contaminants may be produced that perpetuate the cycle of destruction, harming more and more of the environment and the natural resources it contains. Chemical waste management teams carefully review the type of waste and amount produced to find the most effective way of disposing of the material so that no harm comes to the environment or its inhabitants.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous waste disposal is more than just throwing away toxic garbage. It cannot go to a landfill or into the ocean. It must be contained in such a way that it cannot leak into the soil or water. Extremely toxic substances are placed in containers, vats, or drums and stored so that they can be disposed of as safely as possible. Chemicals, contaminated medical waste, radioactive materials, pharmaceutical products, inks, paints, and petroleum products are just a few of the major categories that hazardous waste can fall into.
With any type of hazardous waste, a company will need to apply for permits that allow them to dispose of their hazardous and non-hazardous waste. They will have to provide a disposal plan that involves the type of containers that will be used and how the company plans on removing the waste from their property.
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal
Non-hazardous waste disposal may not require a permit as long as the material is eco-friendly and will not produce contaminants as it degrades. Hiring a waste disposal company that specializes in the disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste is the best option, especially if the waste is produced in massive quantities. If an excessive amount of waste is produced, a permit may be needed to transport it to an incineration site or where it will be stored/buried. If a waste management team has any questions about disposal of a specific kind of material, the Environmental Protection Agency should be contacted immediately.
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Ink Disposal
The printing industry is well-known for its impact on the environment. Inks and other chemicals used in the printing of magazines, checks, and other types of documents can be devastating in the environment. Greenwashing is a technique that has been used for many years to help eliminate some of the toxins in the environment, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Certain magnetic inks can be extremely toxic and are difficult to dispose of. Much of the waste produced by the print industry is being used in hazardous waste fuel blending facilities. While some of the material may have to be produced in more secure ways, turning waste into fuel can create usable energy that not only reduces energy costs but also saves valuable resources.
Out-of-Date Product Disposal
Pharmaceutical, medical, and food industries must find ways to deal with out-of-date product disposal. This is a type of off-spec chemical disposal that involves handling materials that are no longer usable because the expiration date has been passed. Over-the-counter medications and prescriptions drugs both fall into this category, as well as many kinds of processed foods. While much of what is considered to be out-of-date is still good, the risk of spoilage is much greater.
Over the years, it was noticed that even drugs and medications that were thrown out by patients were having a devastating effect on the environment. Fish and other aquatic creatures were displaying horrifying physical defects that were cause for grave concern by the EPA. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical facilities were encouraged to develop out-of-date product disposal plans that encouraged patients to return their unused medications to the facility so the products could be disposed of properly, thus eliminating any more dumping into local sewers and waterways.
Radioactive Waste Disposal
Proper radioactive waste disposal methods are needed by many industries, including medical and laboratory facilities. Fuel and energy producing companies also produce massive amounts of radioactive waste. This type of RADwaste disposal requires specific permits for its handling, transporting and the final disposal. When it comes to transporting radioactive waste, placards must be used to identify the hauler as having radioactive cargo. The transportation of radioactive waste can only be mapped through routes that are designated for that purpose.
Paint Disposal
Waste paint disposal can take many forms. Certain types of paints can be repurposed and blended with concrete or other materials to add color and texture. This eliminates the paint from being disposed of improperly or finding its way into a landfill. If the paint is water-based or non-toxic, it may be able to be incinerated in a waste fuel blending project that turns waste into usable forms of energy. Hazardous waste fuel blending is a controlled way of eliminating hazardous waste (including paint) that prevents it from finding its way into the environment. In most cases, this takes the form of hazardous waste incineration and can eliminate both hazardous and non-hazardous forms of waste.
Plating and Powder Coating Disposal
Plating and powder coating disposal requires specific types of hazardous waste treatment. In most cases, this type of waste contains large amounts of metal such as lead, iron, copper, and nickel. The Environmental Protection Agency has specific regulations in place for this type of waste, much like the regulations, it has in place for radioactive and various forms of bio-hazard waste that contains infectious materials. Plating and powder coating by-products can be extremely toxic to both humans and animals so any leaks into the environment could be devastating. For many industries, it is recommended that this type of waste only be handled by companies who have specific training in dealing with these types of materials.
Waste to Energy
Non-hazardous waste incineration is commonly used to produce usable forms of energy. Various types of non-hazardous materials can be used. In many cases, even hazardous materials may be included in small, controlled amounts where the release of airborne, toxic contaminants is kept to the barest minimum. Incineration facilities can now be found across the United States to help dispose of many of these types of materials keeping tons of them from ending up in storage facilities or landfills.
Agricultural and Food Industries
Agricultural and food industries are responsible for both hazardous and non-hazardous forms of waste. Not only are they regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, they must also answer to the Food and Drug Administration in terms of product dating and any additives and preservatives that are added to the foods we consume.
Petroleum Industry
The petroleum industry also produces hazardous and non-hazardous forms of waste. By-products that are produced within the mining portion of the industry must be carefully disposed of, some of which can include heavy metals or radioactive components. Companies must file for special permits prior to any drilling or manufacturing processes for both the use of certain chemicals as well as their disposal.
Construction Industry
Even though asbestos is no longer used, disposing of it after a renovation project is still a common concern. The construction industry also uses paints and other chemicals during the building phases of their projects. Any waste that is produced must be disposed of according to the guidelines of the EPA. These guidelines can often be found in the MSDS sheets for each product being used.
Media and Printing Industry
Both photograph and print media can produce hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Within the printing industry, there are many protocols that must be followed and procedures used to deal with each type of waste material. Toxic metals and hazardous chemicals are both common within the industry and must be treated very carefully, during their use as well as while they are being disposed of.
No matter what industry you are involved in, it is essential that you check with the EPA before preparing to dispose of any type of waste material. Both hazardous and non-hazardous waste have specific protocols that must be followed during their disposal. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Do your research prior to disposing of any type of material by contacting the EPA or local Solid Waste Association or Administration.