Commercial Responsibilities for Hazardous Waste Disposal
Many manufacturing and industrial processes produce a significant amount of waste materials that may be harmful for the health of environment as well as human population. Such businesses are obliged to have the waste disposed of in a proper manner, outlined in the federal/state waste regulations.
Failing to do so can land the business in grave trouble as the negligence in appropriate hazardous waste disposal can invite severe financial penalties and even imprisonment in some cases.
It is important for all big and small businesses to know the different rules that govern waste by-products disposal. They should know that it is their responsibility to:
- Ensure safe and secure storage of waste generated at their facility
- Follow the waste hierarchy (recycle & reuse anything possible, and dispose off the rest)
- Get waste transported and disposed of only by certified companies
What Type of Waste is Considered Hazardous?
To ensure appropriate waste management and disposal, businesses should first and foremost know what sort of waste is termed hazardous by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Industrial waste can be categorized into:
- Solid waste
- Chemical waste
- Hazardous or toxic waste
Many commercial processes generate solid waste containing materials such as plastics, cardboard, paper, scrap metal, etc. Much of these materials can be processed at recycling centers, reducing waste management headaches for the facility.
Waste by-products consisting of chemical residues, chemical cleaners, paints, PCB caulk, wood preservatives, etc. are considered chemical waste. These have to be segregated on-site and thereafter disposed by qualified professionals.
Hazardous or toxic waste comprises dangerous materials generated by farms, automotive facilities, hospitals, laboratories, construction sites and manufacturing plants. All this waste cannot simply be dumped into drains or trash bins, and has to be dealt with in a designated way.
Arranging Proper Disposal of Hazardous or Chemical Waste
It is best to seek professional help for disposal of hazardous or chemical waste. Certified waste disposal companies are well-versed with the rules governing waste management. They are also well-equipped to transport and dispose of the waste materials safely.
Businesses that arrange with these companies for regular disposal of waste enjoy several benefits, including:
- Saving on storage space as waste does not have to be collected for long
- Minimum exposure of employees to the dangerous waste
- No need to dedicate precious man-hours to disposing waste
- Improvement in internal workflow processes
- Satisfaction of contributing towards environment preservation
Take responsibility for the toxic or chemical waste generated by your facility. Hire professional services for waste disposal.
