A century-old, quasi-municipal wastewater and drinking water treatment provider serving over 200,000 residents across 11 communities partnered with Maine Labpack to address growing environmental health and safety (EHS) concerns.
With complex operations involving both hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, the organization faced increasing challenges related to:
- Chemical storage and disposal
- Frequent equipment maintenance (lubricants, batteries, lighting)
- Regulatory compliance with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
The company’s EHS Manager requested a comprehensive site walkthrough to assess outdated chemicals, improper storage practices, and disposal needs—particularly a large quantity of non-regulated flocculant stored in 275-gallon totes that had degraded due to improper storage.
Challenge
The facility faced several critical issues impacting both compliance and operational efficiency:
1. Outdated & Excess Chemicals
- Accumulation of unused, expired, and out-of-code chemicals
- Overstocking leading to clutter and inefficiencies
- Valuable space occupied by unnecessary materials
2. Improper Hazardous Waste Handling
- Multiple waste streams combined into unlabeled containers
- Incompatible chemicals (acidic and caustic) stored together
- Lack of clear labeling and employee guidance
3. Compliance Risk
- Increased exposure to fines and violations from Maine DEP
- Inconsistent waste storage practices across facilities
- Lack of standardized processes for waste accumulation
4. Facility-Wide Housekeeping Issues
- Poor organization and storage orientation
- Inefficient use of storage space
- Need for a complete operational reset
Solution
Maine Labpack implemented a comprehensive, multi-phase solution focused on simplifying compliance, improving safety, and optimizing storage practices.
1. Hazardous Waste Stream Separation
The team identified three distinct waste streams:
- Two acidic streams
- One caustic stream
Key actions:
- Provided dedicated, clearly labeled containers for each stream
- Eliminated unsafe mixing of incompatible chemicals
- Introduced visual labeling strategies, including reference photos of vials for easy identification
Result: Employees could quickly and confidently dispose of materials correctly without confusion.
2. Standardized Storage & Compliance System
To ensure long-term compliance:
- Clearly labeled pails were implemented across all facilities
- Simple, intuitive storage systems were designed for ease of use
- Processes were standardized and replicated across multiple locations
Key principle: When compliance is easy, compliance happens.
3. Facility-Wide Chemical Audit & Cleanout
Maine Labpack conducted a full inventory and assessment:
- Cross-referenced chemicals with the facility’s active-use list
- Identified unused chemicals, expired materials, overaccumulated stock, and improperly stored substances
Execution included:
- Lab packing hazardous waste for safe removal
- Pumping and removing 100-gallon waste oil storage
- Removing universal waste and degraded flocculant totes
- Documenting and photographing all materials for approval and tracking
4. Improved Waste Handling Infrastructure
Recommendations included:
- Replacing large, hard-to-manage storage tanks with smaller, accessible containers
- Creating streamlined accumulation points for easier pickups
- Implementing better storage orientations for future waste generation
5. Preventive Controls & Policy Implementation
To prevent future issues:
- A strict chemical approval protocol was introduced
- Only pre-approved chemicals listed in the SDS inventory could be brought onsite
- This eliminated forgotten or abandoned materials accumulating over time
Results
The project delivered measurable improvements across compliance, efficiency, and safety:
Enhanced Regulatory Compliance
- Proper separation and labeling of hazardous waste streams
- Alignment with Maine Waste Management Rules
- Reduced risk of DEP fines and violations
Increased Operational Efficiency
- Simplified processes for employees
- Faster, more organized waste accumulation and removal
- Reduced need for corrective actions
Significant Space Recovery
- Removal of obsolete chemicals and large storage totes
- Cleaner, more organized facility layout
- Improved accessibility for ongoing operations
Scalable Systems Across Facilities
- Solutions were adopted across multiple sites without additional prompting
- Standardization enabled consistent compliance organization-wide
Stronger EHS Culture
- Employees better equipped to handle waste correctly
- Increased awareness and accountability
- Long-term sustainability of improved practices
Client Testimonial
“For 4 years now, Maine Labpack has been ensuring that we have proper storage containers and labels so that the temporary on-site storage of the waste, and its transportation to its final resting place, is done as safely and compliantly as possible.
On-site waste storage areas—where our wastes reside while awaiting pickup—have improved each year with their input, as has our overall compliance with Maine Waste Management Rules.
Maine Labpack’s customer service makes us feel like we’re their only customer, and for that, I’m quite appreciative. I’m looking forward to a continued relationship with the impressive crew at Maine Labpack.”
Why This Matters
For municipalities and industrial facilities alike, hazardous waste management is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a critical component of safe, efficient operations. This case demonstrates that with the right partner and strategy:
- Compliance can be simplified
- Risk can be minimized
- Operations can become more efficient
- Teams can confidently maintain best practices
Partner with Maine Labpack for Safer, Smarter Waste Management
If your facility is struggling with outdated chemicals, storage inefficiencies, or compliance concerns, Maine Labpack can help you take control with practical, scalable solutions tailored to your operations.
From site assessments and cleanouts to ongoing compliance support, the Maine Labpack team makes hazardous waste management simple, safe, and effective.
Ready to improve your facility’s compliance and efficiency? Reach out to Maine Labpack today to schedule a walkthrough and discover how they can support your environmental and operational goals.