The Top 11 Hazardous Waste Disposal Best Practices

Hazardous waste disposal is an integral part of any business. Therefore, it’s crucial to know how to get rid of these materials properly so they don’t become a health hazard or harm people or the environment. Having a hazardous waste management plan ensures all safety guidelines and Australian Government regulations are followed. Here are some best practices for hazardous waste disposal.

You can take a few simple steps to ensure that your hazardous waste is disposed of properly. First, ensure you educate, identify, label, and have a clear emergency plan. Segregate dangerous waste from regular garbage to prevent accidental contamination. Finally, when disposing of hazardous waste, follow all instructions on the labels. Taking these precautions can help protect yourself and the environment from the dangers of hazardous waste.

We sat down with Blane Mitchell from Pro Skip Bins Brisbane www.proskipbinsbrisbane.com.au as he shared some best practices for disposing of hazardous waste safely and responsibly. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Educate

Hazardous materials are poisonous, flammable, and corrosive industrial waste. They can be found in many everyday household products, such as cleaners, batteries, and pesticides. Hazardous wastes can also be in the form of liquids, solids, and gases. If disposed of improperly, hazardous materials can pollute the air, water, and soil and cause serious health problems for people and animals. Therefore, educating yourself on the best ways to identify disposal methods is essential.

2. Labels

Hazardous wastes are classified as dangerous by local, state, or federal environmental regulations. This includes chemicals and cleaners to light bulbs and batteries. This helps waste management professionals properly handle the material and ensure it does not risk human health or the environment. In addition, labeling hazardous waste containers help to prevent accidental exposure to dangerous materials. Therefore, anyone who handles hazardous waste should ensure that the containers are appropriately labeled.

3. Hazardous Waste Determinations

Hazardous waste can be defined as any toxic substance harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous wastes include radioactive waste, toxic chemicals, and medical waste. There are several ways to determine if a substance is hazardous, such as testing for toxicity or flammability.

4. Hazardous Waste Manifests

A uniform hazardous waste manifest must be completed and signed. The purpose of the manifest system is to ensure that hazardous waste is managed correctly from beginning to end. To track hazardous waste streams adequately, a uniform hazardous waste manifest must accompany all of the hazardous waste removed from the facility. In addition, the manifest helps emergency responders to identify and respond to incidents quickly and effectively.

5. Expired Products

Expired products pose severe health and environmental hazard. Therefore, it is essential to properly dispose of expired products to avoid potential accidents. The best way to dispose of hazardous waste is to take it to an approved Government hazardous waste disposal site. This ensures that the hazardous waste does not end up in landfills or the environment where it could harm people or animals.

6. Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan

Contingency plans include provisions for spill clean-up and containment procedures. The type of plan required for a business depends on the hazardous waste generator status. The role of hazardous waste generators is to classify all waste generated by a facility. Failure to develop and notify the proper authorities is a violation of hazardous waste laws. The contingency plan should also have a list of emergency contact numbers for hazardous waste removal and disposal. In the event of a leak or spill, the first step is to immediately notify the proper authorities.

7. Training

Training should include storage, labeling, transportation, and disposal techniques. If not handled properly, hazardous waste can pose a severe health and safety risk to your employees and customers. By providing proper training, you can help ensure that your staff knows how to handle and dispose of waste safely. In addition, you should provide regular refresher courses to keep your employees up-to-date on the latest regulations. By investing in proper training, you can help to protect your business from potential liabilities.

8. Storage

If not properly stored, hazardous materials can leak and contaminate soil and water, causing severe health problems. Hazardous waste generators are responsible for regular inspections of all storage areas. Storage areas should be dry, well-ventilated, and away from heat sources. In addition, tightly close the container lids and apply the correct labels. By taking these simple precautions, we can help to protect both the environment and human health.

9. Mercury

Many everyday household items contain mercury, which can cause mercury contamination.  Some examples of mercury products include thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, and thermometers. One way to properly dispose of these items is to take them to a local hazardous waste facility for recycling. By disposing of mercury containing products properly, we can help protect ourselves and the environment from this harmful substance.

10. Inspections

Trained and certified Hazardous waste generators should routinely inspect chemical storage areas. The Hazardous waste generator will also check for adequate ventilation, lighting, and drainage. After the inspection, the waste generator will provide a report detailing any findings.

11. Disposal

Proper disposal of hazardous waste is essential because it prevents industrial waste from contaminating air, water, and soil. It also protects people from coming into contact with hazardous materials that could make them sick or injured. Solid waste disposal is treating, managing, and disposing of hazardous waste safely and environmentally soundly.  Check with your local municipality or waste management company to find your nearest waste facility.

Conclusion

Hazardous waste disposal best practices are essential to ensure the safety of employees and the public. Businesses can avoid costly fines and penalties by educating staff on proper product labeling, filling out manifests correctly, having a contingency plan in place, and using approved disposal methods. Make sure your business follows these safety standards by implementing them today.