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.
The design of a hazardous waste storage area is intended to ensure that, in the case of a spill, waste stays in the storage area. From the types of containers used to the waste itself, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) dictates how waste should be stored. Keep reading to learn about important Maine hazardous waste storage requirements. (more…)
Proper labeling and marking of dangerous goods is critical for ensuring safety during transportation, protecting workers, and complying with federal and state regulations. These identifiers communicate the potential hazards of materials to handlers, transporters, and emergency responders, helping to prevent accidents and environmental damage. This guide explains the difference between markings and labels, outlines hazard class requirements, highlights recent regulatory updates, and provides practical tips for safe and compliant labeling.
Markings are divided into two distinct categories – marks that identify the design and specifications of a package and marks that identify the use of a particular package for shipment. Packaging use markings include:
Labels are an even more specific marker on a package and are used to alert you of imminent danger. The 100 mm x 100mm diamond shaped markers found on a package containing dangerous goods are the foremost example of a label. These labels have a variety of very specific requirements:
Understanding hazard class labels is essential for anyone handling or transporting dangerous goods. Each class of hazardous material has a specific label that communicates the type of risk associated with the contents. These labels use standardized colors, symbols, and numbers to ensure that everyone in the supply chain—from warehouse personnel to emergency responders—can quickly recognize the hazards and take appropriate precautions. Proper labeling not only protects people and the environment but is also a legal requirement under both federal DOT regulations and Maine state law.
Below is an overview of the hazard classes and their corresponding labels:
What is the difference between a marking and a label?
Markings provide information about the contents or handling requirements, while labels indicate the specific hazards of the materials inside.
Are there specific size requirements for labels?
Yes. Label symbols must be proportionate in size to regulatory specifications.
Can I reuse labels from previous shipments?
Only if they are in good condition and legible. Damaged labels must be replaced.
Where should labels be placed on a package?
Labels should be within 6 inches of the proper shipping name and displayed at a 45° angle.
Do small quantities of hazardous material need labeling?
Yes. Even small quantities must be properly labeled and marked for safe transport.
Navigating hazardous materials labeling and marking regulations can be complex. Maine Labpack provides expert support to help businesses and institutions comply with all applicable federal and Maine state regulations. Our services include:
Contact Maine Labpack online today or call us at (207) 767-1933 to ensure your hazardous materials are safely labeled, compliant, and ready for transport.
In addition to historical environmental due diligence objectives in healthcare, robust state and federal regulations have added a new layer of responsibility to healthcare providers. With environmental matters, in particular, healthcare facilities have a slew of responsibilities when it comes to the waste they generate. Healthcare waste includes everything from hazardous and non-hazardous pharmaceuticals to pathological specimens. Waste is encompassed in legal, environmental and regulatory matters found within the ethics of due diligence in healthcare. (more…)
Hospitals in the United States produce over 5.9 million tons of medical waste annually. This doesn’t include medical waste from other healthcare facilities like family doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and dental offices. Of that 5.9 million tons, 25% is regulated biohazardous waste containing infectious or potentially infectious substances such as bodily fluids or blood. We’ve compiled a biohazard guide to help you assess your hazardous waste disposal needs. (more…)
As of April 13, 2020, the United States has over 525,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). With the treatment of coronavirus patients comes an influx of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical waste contaminated with the virus. Proper coronavirus waste management can help protect those in medical environments from exposure and contamination.
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