Schools and laboratories are just a few of the places that require specialized waste management options. Companies that work with various types of paint or plating need hazardous waste removal plans that are in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agencies guidelines. Anything that has a direct impact on the environment must be disposed of in such a way that the impact is reduced as much as possible and that human life is not put in danger.
Hazardous Waste Management
Hazardous waste management companies have the tools, resources, and knowledge to properly dispose of all types of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Lab disposal services are often called in to assist in the disposal of items used in a laboratory setting that may or may not have hazardous connotations. Lab pack management and lab pack disposal are used to ensure that chemically contaminated fluids, specimens, and materials are disposed of as safely as possible without producing by-products that can be harmful to the environment.
Hazardous waste comes from many different areas aside from laboratories and school/research centers. They can also come from paint and body shops, fuel centers/gas stations, furniture and carpet manufacturers, drug manufacturers, pharmacies, hospitals, and any place that deals with medical waste. Many people often forget about the types of waste generated in surgical hospitals or in areas where people have been under quarantine. All of these materials can be labeled as hazardous, especially if they are waste generated in an area where infectious diseases are present.
Laboratory Waste Disposal
Laboratories produce a wide variety of waste products. Chemical lab packing services and disposal involves carefully packaging and securing chemicals that are produced in a laboratory setting. If this is the type of laboratory chemical waste disposal that is needed, then you will need to find a laboratory chemical disposal and lab pack service. These companies deal with hazardous waste disposal on a regular basis. They have chemical waste disposal permits that allow them to safely transfer the materials from the school, laboratory or other facilities to a disposal area where the wastes can be properly prepared and disposed of in ways that have little to no impact on the environment.
Specimen Disposal
Specimen disposals is a unique type of hazardous waste is of an organic or biological nature. In some cases, specimens may contain materials that are radioactive or contagious in some way. Radioactive waste disposal requires permits that state the company removing the waste material has had special training that allows them to handle this type of material.
With RADwaste disposal, special equipment is also needed that will prevent the radiation from leaking out of the container and affecting both the transporters and the environment. Permits that cover transportation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste aren’t enough. To handle any type of radioactive or waste that contains biologic material, permits are needed that indicate both specialized training, the use of protective equipment, and secure containment devices.
Chemical Waste Disposal
There are several types of waste disposal. Some types of chemical or paint waste can be buried, while others can go through hazardous waste incineration. This can involve hazardous waste fuel blending where the materials being incinerated are used to generate energy. This environmentally friendly and economically sound disposal option offers several benefits. It eliminates solvent-based sludge, liquids, and solids by blending them with organic wastes and using them as an alternative fuel source.
Not only does this eliminate the need to bury or dump these materials, it also saves natural resources. The alternative fuel is ideal for kilns in which cement is manufactured. Solvent-based materials can be picked up and stored until enough is on hand to produce the fuel needed for the kilns, dramatically reducing any risk to the environment and keeping both animals and humans safe. All of this and it is economically feasible as well.
Paint Waste Disposal
Paint is one of the biggest problems in terms of disposal. People, and businesses too, store paint with the hopes that they will find a use for it later. In the meantime, the quality of the paint continues to deteriorate. After only a year, most pain products are not fit for reuse and need to be disposed of. Paint disposal can take many forms outside of hiring a chemical disposal company. Some companies mix their old paint with cement to add color or it can be used to touch up high traffic areas of walls where handprints and other types of dirt seem to be most prevalent.
If you find you have numerous buckets of paint that you need to get rid of, your first step should be to contact a hazardous waste disposal company that specializes in both water-based and latex-based paints. Waste paint disposal is normally treated as hazardous simply due to the number of chemicals it contains. If the label says “non-toxic”, then it can be picked up as non-hazardous waste. In some cases, non-hazardous waste incineration may be an option if the paint is labeled correctly.
Plating and Powder Coating Disposal
Plating and powder coating processes generate hazardous waste that can be deadly to wildlife. The cyanide and acid-based solutions are extremely toxic and must be disposed of according to EPA standards. Waste that contains precious metals can have long-lasting repercussions within the environment if it is allowed to leak or is spilled on the ground. Due to these dangers, a highly detailed plan is needed to sufficiently process and handle plating waste disposal.
Anodizing and plating waste disposal, as well as powder coating disposal, can have a devastating effect on watersheds and aquifers if a spill or leak is large enough. It only takes a few quarts of plating waste material to contaminate hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Even a small leak can cause catastrophic damage to a water habitat leading to the death of a large number of the fish and wildlife that are exposed to the contamination. These toxins can cause cancers, birth defects, and diseases that can be spread from animal to animal or animal to man with disastrous results.
It’s important to note that companies who use plating and powder coating as part of their manufacturing process are liable if any of the hazardous materials produced by their production lines are allowed to escape containment. Large fines can be levied against the company and the manufacturing process may be shut down indefinitely until the right protocols and disposal methods can be put in place. The Environmental Protection Agency closely monitors how chemicals are disposed of, especially those that contain precious metals or other highly toxic materials and by-products.
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal
Non-hazardous waste disposal doesn’t mean the waste can just be thrown in the landfill and forgotten about. Non-hazardous waste needs to be disposed of properly so that it isn’t allowed to contaminate or blend with other waste materials. Although non-hazardous waste poses less of a threat to the environment and various habitats, it still must be processed according to EPA specifications. This includes following guidelines and protocols concerning how the waste is processed and eventually disposed of.
Some types of non-hazardous waste may be released to go into a landfill, while other types may be incinerated to create usable forms of energy for kilns and other types of generators that use alternative fuel sources. Before disposing of any type of non-hazardous waste material, contact the Environmental Protection Agency or a local disposal company that specializes in different types of waste. They will be able to answer your questions and possibly remove the waste for you so that it can be disposed of correctly.
Out-of-date Product Disposal
Off-spec or out-dated products like oils and other chemicals must also be disposed of according to certain guidelines. There are many different types of products that can become toxic or harmful if kept for a long period of time. A few of these materials include:
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter medications
Paint (both latex-based and water-based)
Cooking oils (both new and used)
Petroleum products
Any type of product that is out-dated should be disposed of properly. Many pharmacies will allow customers to return their out-dated medications so they can be handled according to the guidelines set forth by the EPA and the FDA.
For years, patients have dumped both prescription and non-prescription medications down the toilet or sink thinking nothing of the final result. After years of this type of pollution, fish and other amphibious creatures began to develop birth defects and structural abnormalities that not only affected their quality of life, but also prevented them from reproducing. This synthetic form of sterilization had long-lasting repercussions as the population of many types of fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures began to diminish substantially.
Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Ink Disposal
Printing companies also have a role to play in protecting our environment. While most types of ink are non-hazardous, magnetic forms of ink and the by-products that are created from the various printing processes can have a negative impact on the environment. It’s imperative that inks and printing by-products be prevented from entering an area’s water supply for the same reasons as off-spec or out-dated products. Over time, the exposure to these types of chemicals can result in devastating consequences for both flora and fauna in the environment.
Hazardous Waste Treatment
Hazardous waste treatment and chemical waste disposal options are strictly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and other government bureaus who do everything possible to protect the environment and its inhabitants. This includes humans and domesticated animals. Anytime you are unsure of whether or not a chemical, paint product, or any other type of non-hazardous material and want to dispose of it, call a company that specializes in hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal. They will know how to properly dispose of almost any type of substance. They will also have the necessary permits, tools, and equipment to get the job done safely and effectively.
Waste to Energy
It’s also important to remember that not all waste will end up in a landfill or buried. The process of turning waste into energy is not only being utilized more frequently, it is now one of the most popular ways of handling various types of waste. Millions of dollars are year are saved in disposal costs by converting waste into a usable, alternative energy source. In addition to the money being saved and the diminished need for raw, natural resources, the benefits are far-reaching in terms of keeping the environment waste-free and thriving.
With today’s technological advancements and the new guidelines put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency, less and less toxic waste is being allowed to enter landfills. By creating new disposal solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous forms of waste, there is less measurable pollution. Many areas are actually regaining their natural balance allowing both flora and fauna to thrive. If you have questions on how to handle certain types of waste, whether it be hazardous or non-hazardous, contact us, your local chemical disposal company and have us evaluate what you are wanting to get rid of. We can provide you with the solutions you need that will be safe for both you and the environment.
