If you’re like most people (and we bet you are), you don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about your waste. We know it’s not a hot topic of conversation. But we also know that your waste, its correct treatment, and disposal are of utmost importance to your business operations in terms of regulatory compliance. There’s nothing like a hefty fine or even a possible shutdown to make a negative impact on your balance sheet.
According to the U.S. EPA, American industrial facilities generate approximately 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste.* And there are strict laws and regulations at the federal, state, and municipal level governing how that waste is managed. It essentially comes down to this: regarding waste treatment and disposal options, have you chosen the right fit for your waste?First, let’s clear something up. Did you know that there’s a distinct difference between waste treatment and waste disposal?
The EPA defines the latter as “the placement of waste into or on the land,” commonly in land disposal units such as landfills, surface impoundments, waste piles, land treatment units, or injection wells. Waste treatment, on the other hand, is “any process that changes the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a waste to minimize its threat to the environment.”
Now consider your own facility’s waste. Do you know exactly what’s in your waste? Is it hazardous or non-hazardous?Even non-hazardous waste materials contain contaminants that damage the environment. Metals, paints, oils, grease, soaps, and other non-hazardous materials are environmentally harmful in large or small concentrations, and governmental regulations require exacting treatment processes before these materials are released to the environment. Also, is your waste liquid, solid, or sludge? All of these answers will determine the best management methods.
How much waste do you generate? Most likely you have storage tanks and other storage systems that hold your waste until it’s time for treatment and disposal. However, knowing the volume of your waste will help you assess the efficiency and effectiveness of your current waste management program. You may find that your waste management needs have changed. Speaking of storage, how do you collect, store, and transport your waste? If you haven’t assessed your containment and transportation equipment in a while, it could be that they no longer work well for you. For example, their integrity could be compromised. Or perhaps they no longer fit your needs – too large, too small, too outmoded. You may even need to make some equipment modifications in order to ensure safe and compliant storage and transport. We understand; you’re too busy running your operations to think much about your waste. But we also understand waste management. If you have questions, we have solutions. Call us at 800-399-2783 or visit our website. At Environmental Remedies, all solutions lead to clean. * Source: Guide for Industrial Waste Management, United States Environmental Protection Agency.