How To Dispose of Industrial Waste
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Industrial processes are always accompanied by waste, whether scrap metal, chemicals, general waste, or other potentially harmful materials. These create several disposal and handling issues for many companies.
Improper industrial waste management can have disastrous consequences for the environment. It can also risk your business’s reputation due to monetary penalties and negative press. Therefore, properly managing your industrial waste is needed to keep your brand intact and free from unnecessary issues.
What Is Industrial Waste?
Industrial waste refers to any unwanted or leftover materials from industrial processes. This includes several types:
Industrial Solid Waste
The garbage generated by businesses from industrial or manufacturing processes and non-manufacturing activities is considered industrial solid waste. These should be separate from regular office waste; thus, they require special handling.
Non-Hazardous Waste
Many industrial residues are deemed non-hazardous but could still harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Some examples include ash, sludge, grinding dust, and liquids with non-hazardous chemicals.
Hazardous Waste
This type of waste can harm people, animals, and the environment. If not managed, these can poison rivers, lakes, and other waterways, inflicting extensive harm to the surrounding ecosystem. Typically, these materials are byproducts of processes in factories, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities.
Proper Disposal of Industrial Waste
The majority of worldwide waste production comes from industrial processes. As such, proper waste disposal in these facilities will significantly help alleviate the present global waste issue.
Industrial waste management procedures must be incorporated in all companies to mitigate risks and ensure appropriate collection and disposal. Typically, trash can be sorted by type and sent to one of these three locations:
Segregation and Recycling Facilities
Much of the trash produced by your company’s manufacturing, transportation, and packing requirements is recyclable. Therefore, the first stage in developing an industrial waste management program is determining which items may be recycled and establishing appropriate containers or dumpsters to separate them.
Most recycling centers can recycle glass, paper, and plastic. Many can also deal with scrap metal, cardboard, and electronics recycling. These recyclables must be separated from hazardous, biodegradable, and non-hazardous solid waste.
Landfills
Only non-hazardous, non-recyclable, and non-compostable garbage should be disposed of in landfills. They are one of the most common ways of garbage disposal. Waste materials that arrive at landfills are contained to a limited area, compacted as needed, and then buried in the ground.
Compost Centers
Composting converts organic waste into fertilizer that may be used to improve soil quality for planting and growing. Most food waste, leaves, newspapers, small bits of cardboard, straw, and sawdust may all be composted. This is one of the most efficient methods of discarding organic and biodegradable trash.
Manage Your Industrial Waste With U.S. Waste Industries
Plan for the cost-effective, responsible, and safe disposal of industrial waste for your company! Whatever the industry and size of your operation, our team here at U.S Waste Industries can provide industrial waste services in a timely and effective way that positively contributes to the environment, your brand, and your operational efficiency.
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Common Types of Hazardous Waste and How To Dispose of Them Safely
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Hazardous waste refers to any waste that poses potential risks to public health or the local environment. Thus, they require proper handling.
While donation, recycling, or reusing is often the most preferred disposal method, these are often inapplicable for hazardous waste. Therefore, it’s necessary to properly identify the type of waste you have and the most appropriate way to safely dispose of them without harming the environment and people’s health.
How To Identify Hazardous Waste
Waste can be considered hazardous if the following characteristics are present in a material:
Corrosivity
One of the most common corrosive waste items is industrial-strength cleaners containing strong acids, such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. Car batteries are made of lead and contain sulfuric acid and are, thus, also considered corrosive.
Ignitability
This pertains to the flammability of compounds present in a product. Gasoline, oxidizers, and propane tanks are some of the most common flammable or ignitable objects.
Reactivity
Reactive wastes are potentially flammable when combined with other compounds or subjected to high temperatures. A frequent example is filled or partially-filled aerosol cans, which can explode when exposed to high temperatures.
Toxicity
Any waste containing poisonous elements that, if breathed or swallowed, can have significant or fatal health repercussions is considered toxic. If exposed to these harmful components, you must seek medical attention immediately.
Proper Disposal of Hazardous Waste
Checking the label is one of the fastest ways to determine if a product is dangerous and needs particular disposal techniques. In such cases, you must handle those wastes with caution.
Here are some common hazardous waste products and the right ways to dispose of them:
Adhesives
Adhesives, such as glue or epoxy, must be taken to the nearest hazardous waste processing facility and not mixed with recyclable trash or other non-hazardous items.
Pesticides and Automotive Waste
Pesticides should be disposed of according to the instructions on the product label. Any product that remains in the container must be discarded as hazardous waste. You may also contact a hazardous waste disposal facility in your jurisdiction to find out where you may dispose of your unused pesticides.
Certain automotive fluids can be appropriately disposed of by bringing them to local auto shops.
Light Bulbs
Aside from the chemicals inside the bulbs, glass shards are also health and safety hazards. Thus, all fluorescent bulbs and tubes must be delivered to a facility capable of processing these items.
Electronics, Appliances, and Batteries
Electronics, appliances, and batteries may be returned to OEMs for appropriate e-waste disposal.
Paints
You may donate residual paint to a community center, charity, house of religion, or local theater. They frequently work on projects with limited resources and may benefit from these extra materials.
Pharmaceutical Wastes
Most pharmaceutical waste is incinerated at an approved medical incinerator site since it cannot be thrown with regular trash. When you have leftover pharmaceutical products, contact a pharmacy or medical facility to safely dispose of them rather than putting them in the garbage or a dumpster.
[U.S. Waste Industries for Your Hazardous Waste Disposal!
Hazardous waste is a major environmental and public health concern on a global scale. Thus, identifying your waste type and how to properly dispose of it is crucial.
When in doubt, contact U.S. Waste Industries! Our team specializes in hazardous waste disposal, and we can take care of the transportation and efficient disposal of industrial waste materials as part of our extensive services.
Contact us today for inquiries.