How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste

From motor oils to lithium batteries, hazardous waste takes many forms. Hazardous waste is also highly prominent across nearly every industry, which some manufacturing professionals may find surprising. Potentially harmful waste is generated constantly by all kinds of industrial processes, putting the environment – and your employees – at risk. For that reason, it is crucial to learn how to dispose of hazardous waste properly, safely, and efficiently.

How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste

The Importance of Proper Waste Disposal

Improperly managed hazardous waste poses a major threat. That includes threats to the environment, as well as to the health of individuals living and working near the hazard. Several bodies govern the disposal of hazardous waste, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1976, the EPA created the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which sets up a framework for proper hazardous waste management. Manufacturing professionals must follow these guidelines to ensure the health and safety of their employees, as well as individuals and wildlife living in the surrounding community. Without proper disposal, hazardous waste can seep into groundwater, contaminating the surrounding area for decades.

Understanding EPA Guidelines

Once a professional has identified hazardous waste, waste disposal should be a top priority. If you’re not sure where to begin, the EPA has a national system for electronically tracking hazardous waste shipments: The Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest. Also known as “e-Manifest,” the system tracks hazardous waste from its creation to its eventual disposal.

Of course, to benefit from e-Manifest, your operation first has to use the system. Although the EPA launched e-Manifest in 2018, less than one percent of hazardous waste generators currently use the system. EPA guidelines mandate that waste generators must use the system by January 2022 or face a fine – which is where we come in. The EWI waste disposal team can characterize your hazardous waste, create a disposal plan, and make sure your team is prepared to comply with all federal and local regulations.

Meet the EWI Waste Disposal Team

If you are unsure of how to dispose of hazardous waste, our licensed, professional personnel can manage your hazardous waste hauling – both in the Midwest and beyond. Our team complies with major bodies including SAM, ISN, and Avetta, and we carry state DOT hazardous waste permits for a number of states nationwide. EWI’s team of experts is also fully insured, offering Commercial General Liability, Automobile Liability, Workers Compensation, and Contractor’s Pollution insurance protection. Finally, our HAZWOPER-trained waste hauling experts are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve you. We can walk you through every step of the waste disposal process:

• Arranging for proper disposal
• Waste preparation, documentation, and packaging
• Manifesting hazardous waste shipment
• Transportation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous material
• Waste minimization and recycling
• Consulting services
• Construction and demolition debris removal

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Technical advancement in manufacturing brings a wide variety of exciting innovation. However, it also creates significant amounts of hazardous waste. For individuals in the manufacturing field, protecting the environment – and the people and wildlife that live in the surrounding areas – should be a top priority.

As the end of the year draws closer, our team is seeing more and more demand for hazardous waste disposal services. If you have questions about how to dispose of hazardous waste, Environmental Works is here to help. We transport hazardous waste for some of the largest companies in the country. We are also able to reduce your overall project costs by taking advantage of our ability to provide complete environmental services, minimizing vendor management. To learn more, please click here to contact us online.