Hazardous Waste Management Compliance made simple

Hazardous waste management is a systematic process of handling waste materials that are classified as hazardous due to their potential to harm human health, the environment, or both.

The management of hazardous waste includes several stages, each in place to mitigate the risks associated with these materials. Here’s an overview of the key components of hazardous waste management that Reconomy’s service offering helps meet:

Identification and classification

Identifying what waste is hazardous involves assessing its chemical composition and characteristics. Hazardous waste properties are typically classified based on their properties such as toxicity, reactivity, ignitability, and corrosivity.

Generation and storage

Businesses that generate hazardous waste in projects and sites must segregate and store it suitably to prevent leaks, spills, and contamination with other streams. This includes using appropriate containers and following regulations for labeling and record-keeping. Reconomy’s Haz-Waste Stations are a great solution for this, which can you find out more about later on in this page.

Transportation

Hazardous waste must also be transported safely to treatment or disposal facilities. The transport process is regulated to ensure the waste is securely stored so that transportation routes reduce the risk of exposure to the public and the environment.

Treatment

Treatment processes aim to reduce the generation of the volume, toxicity, or hazardous nature of waste.

Disposal

After treatment, hazardous waste must be disposed of in a manner that prevents any future contamination. Options will include landfilling in specially designed facilities, deep-well injection, and secure containment. Reconomy works with facilities all across the UK, so will be able to advise the best possible route for any potentially hazardous waste you may have.

Hazardous waste refers to any material that poses a substantial threat to human health or the environment when improperly handled or disposed of when it comes to treatment. It can come from various sources, including industrial processes, medical facilities, laboratories, and households.

Exposure to hazardous waste can lead to a range of human health problems, including respiratory issues, skin disorders, neurological disorders, and even cancer. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Hazardous waste minimisation focuses on reducing the generation of waste at its source. This can be achieved through cleaner production processes, resource optimisation, recycling, recovery, and reuse strategies.

The key principles of hazardous waste management should be placed against the waste hierarchy, meaning it goes through the stages of; waste minimisation or recovery, proper storage and handling, transportation and disposal compliance, and appropriate treatment and disposal methods to assist with the cleaning of our environment.

Government environment regulations, such as those established by the EPA, ensure the safe treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Compliance with these regulations is essential for maintaining a sustainable and responsible approach to waste management.