How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste
If you have a home, you probably wonder how to dispose of household or commercial hazardous waste properly. You can learn more about identifying explosive, chemical, and ignitable waste through the links below. Listed below are the types of hazardous waste you should dispose of safely. Learn more about how to dispose of hazardous waste in your home or business. After reading this article, you’ll be well on reducing your environmental impact and helping the environment.
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Colour coded bins |
Yellow |
Red |
Orange |
Purple |
White |
Blue |
Yellow & Black |
Black |
Infectious waste to be disposed of immediately |
Anatomical waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) |
Infectious waste which is sent for treatment |
Cytostatic and cytotoxic medicinal products such as sharps |
Dental waste |
Medicinal waste such as part empty containers,out of date medicine etc |
Non-infectious/hazardous hygiene waste |
|
Dispose of Hazardous Waste: Household Hazardous Waste
Household hazardous waste is a type of waste that contains several potentially harmful materials. It is considered hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some types of household hazardous waste may include batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, paint, used motor oil, cooking oil, lighter fluid, gasoline, auto care products, fluorescent light tubes, sharps, pesticides, and poisons.
- Some types of HHW are harmful to people, pets, and the environment and should be appropriately disposed of.
- The typical household produces 15 pounds of HHW per year.
- Proper disposal of HHW is essential to prevent the pollution of local waterways and soil.
- You should always follow product directions on household hazardous waste before disposing of it.
- Some products require specific disposal methods, including incinerating, burning, or pouring them down the drain.
Consider substituting household products with safer ones to avoid hazardous waste from entering the environment.
In some cases, purchasing alternatives that are not toxic or harmful is possible. While some of these alternatives may not be completely non-toxic, they are still significantly less toxic than their commercial counterparts. Check out this list of household items that can be safely substituted for hazardous materials. This can save you a lot of money and the environment. Also, don’t forget to read labels and follow manufacturer directions carefully.
If you have household hazardous waste to dispose of, you can take it to the nearest collection site. If you are unsure where to dispose of it, check out the locations of household hazardous waste programs in your area. Contact a local agency or check the Veolia commercial waste website for more information or if you have any questions or concerns.
Many communities have HHW collection programs. These programs are designed to reduce the environmental harm caused by chemicals. In Tennessee, the Department of Agriculture runs a Mobile Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program for state residents. The service accepts household hazardous waste from farmers but cannot accept explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, or medical waste.
If you do not know how to dispose of household hazardous waste, consider using homemade cleaning solutions. Mixing warm water with liquid soap, lemon juice, and baking soda will remove 99% of the harmful materials. These cleaners can also be used as a natural alternative to commercial products. If you are unsure how to dispose of them, ask your local agency for advice. Many communities have designated days for household hazardous waste collection. This may be the easiest way to dispose of hazardous waste.
Dispose of Hazardous Waste: Chemical Waste
In the past, people tended to dispose of chemicals in landfills or on their properties, resulting in thousands of uncontrolled chemical waste sites. In the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency was created but had no provisions for handling the growing problem. The federal government passed the Clean Water Act and other regulations, such as the Water Pollution Control Act, to protect public health and the environment.
However, these regulations were not enacted until decades after they were created. In general, there are three types of toxic waste products. The first category is comprised of corrosive and flammable chemicals. The second category includes heavy metals and acutely poisonous chemicals. Finally, the third category includes radioactive wastes. These substances emit ionizing radiation or interact with other materials to produce hazardous substances.
In addition, chemical waste may be volatile or flammable. To dispose of chemicals in this way, you should first sort them according to their flammability to know what kind to handle. Usually, chemical liquid waste must be stored in a container that is 75% full. This reduces the risk of spills caused by moving the containers with excess content. Additionally, the container used must be compatible with the hazardous chemicals stored.
Ensuring that any content correctly identifies the substances inside is vital. Disposing of a dangerous substance container may be difficult if it has leaked. In addition to regulated waste, chemical and biological materials may be classified as hazardous. In addition to hazardous commercial waste, they can cause severe health and environmental problems. Listed materials, like batteries, radioactive, and medical waste, must be disposed of properly.
Under the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations, these materials are also classified as hazardous waste. The guidelines for hazardous waste disposal have been developed to ensure the safety of lab staff and researchers. When determining whether or not a waste is hazardous, it’s best to consult safety data sheets. These data sheets are usually available in workplaces and can help determine the characteristics and properties of waste. Determining if the container will be compatible with the disposed chemical is also essential.
If the container is compatible with the waste, you can store it in an appropriately designated Satellite Accumulation Area. Depending on the chemical, a laboratory may be required to separate and dispose of its waste. During the process, laboratory staff must comply with University protocols. A laboratory safety coordinator serves as a liaison between the laboratories and the EHS and provides written guidance outlining procedures for chemical waste disposal.
The coordinator will monitor the process of collection and removal and manage the hazardous wastes from the initial disposal point to off-site disposal.
Dispose of Hazardous Waste: Ignitable Waste
In the late 1970s, the EPA proposed using an ignitability characteristic to identify hazardous wastes. In the 1980s, the EPA finalized the ignitability test method, ASTM D 3278-78, to assess the fire hazard posed by a given waste. This test method is insufficient to assess the ignitability of wastefulness.
To determine if a waste is ignitable, the substance must be capable of initiating a fire and sustaining combustion. Other testing methods, such as laboratory tests, determine whether a substance is flammable. Hazardous waste can be liquid or solid, depending on its flashpoint. Ignitable wastes have a flashpoint below sixty degrees Celsius, which can cause a fire. Other types of ignitable hazardous waste include used solvents and finely divided metals.
You can review its material safety data sheet to determine if a waste is ignitable. You can get it from the waste, distributor, or product manufacturer. The proposed rule amends the current definition of ignitable hazardous waste to reflect aqueous liquids more accurately. While alcohol remains a hazardous waste, the EPA has raised concerns about the aqueous solution component of the current guidelines.
They determined that the parameters were too broad and that alcohol-based solutions containing less than twenty-four per cent alcohol would still be classified as hazardous waste. Moreover, alcohol-containing wastes may not be ignitable. If you generate ignitable hazardous waste, it is essential to determine if it is ignitable before shipping it to a disposal facility. Once you’ve determined that it is, follow the EPA guidelines and regulations for hazardous waste treatment.
A violation of the regulations can lead to large fines and other penalties. Just keep up with the latest information and avoid any fines. Generators must meet strict safety requirements to avoid fines and other penalties for ignitable hazardous waste. To reduce the risk of ignitable wastes being released, generators must employ a designated emergency coordinator who is always on hand. The emergency coordinator must know how the facility operates and can take the necessary actions to minimize the risk of a hazardous waste release.
As a rule, the safest policy is to keep a clean work area. Some hazardous wastes may not be classified as hazardous. To meet the criteria for ignitable waste, commercial waste must exhibit specific characteristics. For instance, it must have a flashpoint below 140 degrees Fahrenheit, be spontaneously combustible, and have a pH of 12 or less. Besides causing fire, ignitable wastes produce vapours, toxic fumes, and even explosions.
How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste – Learn more about UK business waste statistics here
Other useful links from our Commercial Waste Centre
Is a Waste Service For Small Businesses Right For Your Business?
A Guide to Commercial Food Waste Disposal in the UK
What Products Are Made From Recycled Waste Material?
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