Chapter 1: Understanding Hazardous Waste
Step-by-Step Guide to Hazardous Waste Disposal for Businesses
When it comes to managing hazardous waste, businesses have a responsibility to handle and dispose of materials safely and in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Improper disposal of hazardous waste not only endangers the environment and public health but can also lead to costly fines, legal trouble, and damage to your company's reputation.
To help your business stay compliant and avoid the risks associated with improper disposal, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to hazardous waste disposal for businesses. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, following these steps will ensure your hazardous waste is managed properly and safely.
Step 1: Identify Hazardous Waste
The first step in hazardous waste disposal is identifying which materials in your workplace are considered hazardous. The EPA defines hazardous waste as waste that is toxic, reactive, ignitable, or corrosive. Many common business materials—such as cleaning products, chemicals, paints, and batteries—fall into this category.
How to Identify Hazardous Waste:
Check product labels: Look for phrases like "toxic," "flammable," "corrosive," or "hazardous" on product labels.
Refer to safety data sheets (SDS): Every chemical or hazardous product should come with an SDS, which outlines the chemical’s potential hazards and safe handling instructions.
Review the EPA's hazardous waste list: The EPA provides a list of specific hazardous waste types that can help you identify waste in your business.
Consult with a professional (us): If you're uncertain whether certain waste materials are hazardous, consult with a certified hazardous waste management company.
Step 2: Store Hazardous Waste Safely
Once you've identified hazardous waste, proper storage is critical to prevent accidents and leaks. There are strict guidelines for how hazardous waste must be stored to avoid environmental contamination and ensure worker safety.
Safe Storage Practices:
Label all containers clearly: All containers holding hazardous waste must be labeled with the contents and hazard warnings.
Use appropriate containers: Use containers designed specifically for hazardous materials. These containers should be leak-proof, sturdy, and properly sealed.
Store in a secure area: Keep hazardous waste in a designated, well-ventilated, and secure area away from workers, the public, and sensitive environmental areas.
Follow volume and time limits: Certain hazardous waste materials must be disposed of within a specific timeframe or within volume limits to avoid creating a larger problem. Be sure you understand your responsibilities under federal and local laws.
Step 3: Classify the Waste
Hazardous waste can be classified into two main categories:
Listed Waste: This includes wastes that the EPA has identified as hazardous due to their toxicity or other dangerous properties. For example, certain chemicals, oils, and solvents.
Characteristic Waste: This includes waste that has properties (flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic) that make it hazardous, even if it’s not specifically listed by the EPA.
Understanding the classification of the waste is important because it will dictate how it must be handled, transported, and disposed of. This classification is part of the documentation required by regulatory agencies.
Step 4: Prepare and Document for Disposal
Before disposing of hazardous waste, you must ensure that all required documentation is in place. Accurate record-keeping is critical for regulatory compliance and future inspections.
Key Documents:
Manifest System: A waste manifest is a tracking document that follows hazardous waste from your facility to its final disposal site. This document helps ensure that the waste is disposed of legally and safely.
Waste Analysis: Some businesses may need to perform a waste analysis to determine the precise makeup of their hazardous waste and ensure proper disposal.
Properly completing and retaining these documents ensures that your business is following federal and state regulations and can provide evidence of compliance if audited.
Step 5: Hire a Certified Hazardous Waste Disposal Service
One of the most important steps in hazardous waste disposal is hiring a certified disposal service. It’s critical that you choose a company with the necessary expertise and permits to handle and dispose of hazardous materials safely and legally. Hazardous Waste Disposal has been in business since 1992 and has been a key partner to many businesses in their efforts to doing things the right way when it comes to their hazardous waste.
What to Look for in a Hazardous Waste Disposal Service:
Certification: Ensure the disposal company is licensed to handle hazardous waste and meets federal, state, and local regulations.
Experience: Choose a company with experience in the specific type of hazardous waste your business produces. Different types of waste may require different disposal techniques.
Safety protocols: The company should have strict safety protocols to protect workers, the public, and the environment.
Recycling options: If possible, select a disposal service that prioritizes recycling and sustainable disposal methods to minimize the environmental impact of your waste.
Step 6: Transport the Waste to a Disposal Facility
Once your hazardous waste has been properly classified, stored, and documented, it needs to be transported to a certified disposal or recycling facility. This transportation must comply with all applicable regulations, including those that govern the labeling, packaging, and movement of hazardous materials.
Transportation Requirements:
Use certified haulers: Only certified waste haulers should transport hazardous materials. They will ensure that all the necessary legal and safety requirements are followed during transport. Hazardous Waste Disposal has our own in-house drivers, we do not use third-party transportation services, so we make sure everything is done correctly from start to finish.
Step 7: Disposal and Final Documentation
After the hazardous waste has been transported to the disposal facility, the waste is properly disposed of in a manner that is safe for the environment and public health. This may involve:
Landfilling (for certain types of waste)
Incineration
Recycling (for specific hazardous materials)
Waste-to-energy programs (fuel blending, etc.)
Once the waste has been received by the designated facility, they should retain, for a minimum of 3 years, a signed final manifest copy, noting that the waste was received. Per the EPA’s Final Third-Rule, which went into effect on January 22nd, 2025, designated facilities are no longer required to mail back hardcopies of the final manifest, so they should be available either through the EPA’s e-Manifest system or upon request.
Step 8: Review and Improve Your Waste Management Practices
Disposing of hazardous waste isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing responsibility. After your waste has been disposed of, it’s a good idea to review your waste management practices to identify any improvements or areas for compliance enhancement.
Steps to improve your waste management system:
Regular training: Train employees on hazardous waste handling and disposal procedures regularly to ensure compliance.
Monitor waste generation: Look for opportunities to reduce hazardous waste at the source by using less hazardous materials or recycling.
Stay up-to-date: Keep yourself informed about changes to local, state, and federal regulations that affect your hazardous waste disposal procedures.
Conclusion
Proper hazardous waste disposal is a critical responsibility for businesses that deal with hazardous materials. By following this step-by-step guide, you can help ensure that your waste is managed in a safe, legal, and environmentally responsible way. Not only will this protect your business from legal and financial risks, but it will also contribute to the health and safety of your employees, the community, and the environment.
If your business needs help managing hazardous waste disposal, Hazardous Waste Disposal is here to support you with expert services tailored to your needs, where we can assist you with all the steps mentioned here. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you stay compliant and dispose of hazardous waste safely.