Certain categories of hazardous waste are regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling as universal waste. Universal waste is a category of hazardous waste commonly generated by various establishments, encouraging the development of municipal and commercial recycling programs. Universal waste management protects employees and the environment from potential risks. This blog explains proper methods for mercury waste disposal.
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Certain categories of hazardous waste are regulated under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruling as universal waste. Universal waste, or “UW,” is a category of hazardous waste commonly generated by a wide variety of establishments and is regulated in a manner that promotes recycling, eases the regulatory burden on homeowners and retail stores, and encourages the development of municipal and commercial recycling programs. Keep reading our universal waste guide to learn the different categories and how it applies to lamps and light bulbs.
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Many customers ask us why we pour what looks like gravel or dirt into their containers of hazardous waste or dangerous goods shipments. Like shipping any material, hazardous goods need something to cushion them during shipment. So, what are the materials we use for that? The answer is vermiculite.
Vermiculite, or “verm” for short, is a shiny, fire-resistant, absorbent mineral that looks similar to gravel, but is very lightweight. Generally, it has a gold-like sheen and has visible layers within its small pieces. You may have come across the mineral in the gardening section of your local hardware store or the insulation in your attic. But what are the benefits of vermiculite for shipping, particularly shipping dangerous goods and hazardous materials? (more…)
Did you know that mercury waste can permanently damage the nervous system? According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, it is estimated that 630,000 children are born in the United States with a toxic level of mercury in their system. Improper disposal of fluorescent light bulbs is the leading cause of mercury poisoning. Even though these bulbs only contain roughly 5 mg in each four-foot lamp sold today, they accumulate in the environment and inevitably end up accumulating in humans and animals.
So, how do you properly dispose of elemental mercury and manufactured articles that contain mercury and mercury salts? We explain mercury recycling and disposal below.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 was set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to govern hazardous wastes from cradle to grave. The Act covers the management of, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. In addition to RCRA compliance, state and local regulations can make hazardous waste management regulations even more stringent. Companies that generate hazardous waste must be well versed in the regulations or risk large fines given by the EPA. Ultimately, we know that hazardous waste management isn’t the most important part of your day. The list below points out the most common RCRA compliance violations to prevent you from risking monetary loss.
Waste containers should always be kept securely closed. The only exception to this rule is when waste is actively being added or removed from the container.
Hazardous waste storage areas are often the most neglected areas of a facility. However, the EPA states that storage areas must be inspected at least once weekly to ensure all materials are stored securely and safely. Though the EPA says inspection once a week is required, it is best practice to have multiple trained personnel inspect the area once weekly to ensure storage areas are properly cared for.
All employees who work with hazardous waste, whether you are a small quantity generator or large quantity generator, are required to have at least basic training. The training must include how to properly manage hazardous waste and the facility’s emergency procedures.
Hazardous waste generators are required to keep various records under EPA regulations. Documents that must be kept on file include hazardous waste manifests, biennial reports, waste testing reports, and exemption reports.
EPA regulations state that various information must be on the outside of a hazardous waste container. The words “hazardous waste”, the accumulation start date, and a description of the hazards in the container must be clearly affixed to a hazardous waste receptacle. It is important to remember that many states have even more stringent labeling regulations than the EPA states.
At Maine Labpack, we know that the slew of regulations put forth by the EPA may be overwhelming. However, our chemists are experts in EPA compliance and are here to help you understand and ensure you are always within RCRA compliance. Contact us today to have your questions about RCRA compliance violations answered!
Did you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers a large number of household products to be hazardous? These materials are considered hazardous waste because they exhibit characteristics that can cause cancer, an explosion, a fire, or a deadly reaction if not used or stored properly. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage household hazardous waste.
In 1976, legislation called the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was passed in the United States. It set up the framework for proper waste management. RCRA’s goal is to ensure that wastes, particularly those with hazardous constituents, are managed in an environmentally sound manner. Below, we give you an overview of hazardous waste determination used by the RCRA to regulate hazardous waste management.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines hazardous waste as “waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable of hurting human health or the environment.” The Agency breaks down hazardous waste into four characteristic categories – ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and toxic. Suppose you determine that a waste meets one or more characteristics of a hazardous substance. In that case, a qualified hazardous waste management company must dispose of it, and cannot be thrown away like regular municipal trash.
Chemicals regulated as hazardous waste fall into one of the four categories listed above and must meet certain parameters within those categories to be considered hazardous. Listed below are the parameters that must be met to be considered hazardous. Some wastes may meet one or more of the specifications.
Do you have hazardous waste? If you are struggling with hazardous waste determination, wondering if your waste is hazardous or what to do with it, contact the professionals at Maine Labpack, Inc. We are a licensed hazardous waste transporter and offer customizable solutions for your disposal needs.
Contact us to learn more about disposal options, management, and recycling.
To stay in compliance, it is imperative that your chemical waste is labeled correctly. It may be difficult and frustrating to navigate federal and state regulations for hazardous waste label information.
However, below we look at each vital component to ensure you are always in compliance. (more…)
When building a new facility, often relocating a lab is not at the forefront of contractor’s or management’s minds. Not only do you need to pack and label chemicals for transportation, but all regulations must also be taken into account to ensure you are in compliance along the way during a lab relocation. (more…)
If you operate a facility that uses hazardous materials, you must have standard operating procedure (SOP) documents illustrating how to perform tasks. An SOP is a set of instructions describing how to perform activities safely. An effective SOP is written to clearly illustrate imminent dangers, how to perform tasks safely, and what equipment should be used. We’ve put together a quick guide about writing standard operating procedures for waste management.
