In 2023, the EPA issued $167 million in civil penalties for various environmental statutes, including RCRA violations. Some of those fines and penalties resulted from plant closures that did not follow guidelines regarding hazardous waste disposal. Any time a plant closes or shuts down operations, specific hazardous waste guidelines must be followed to prevent penalties
... Continue ReadingAuthor: Mark Chocola
EPA E-Manifest Updates for 2025
The EPA published the e-Manifest final third rule on June 28, 2024. It amends aspects of the hazardous waste manifest regulations under RCRA about the e-manifest system. As your waste disposal partner, we are here to help explain key aspects of the final rule. Mandatory Account Registration Effective Jan. 22, 2025, Small Quantity Generators (SQG)
... Continue ReadingUnderstanding Environmental Regulations in Construction
Environmental regulations in the construction industry continued to change this year, primarily driven by the global push for sustainability and environmental friendliness. Because construction accounts for 37% of global emissions, more effort is being put into adopting regulations to protect the environment (including hazardous waste disposal). Regulatory frameworks such as green building codes, sustainability certification
... Continue ReadingHazardous Waste Handling Tips for Lab Techs
If not handled properly, laboratory hazardous waste poses significant risks to health, safety, and the environment. When breaking down lab waste, there are four main categories: chemicals, biological materials, radioactive substances, and sharps. For a safe lab, recognizing the different types of hazardous waste and how to handle them is the first step towards proper
... Continue ReadingWhat’s the Difference Between Combustible and Flammable Materials?
According to the EPA, while combustible and flammable liquids are classified differently, they both fall under the category of ignitable hazardous waste. That means you must follow specific regulations and guidelines for storing, organizing, and disposing of these materials. To help you understand the difference between combustible and flammable liquids, our guide identifies their differing
... Continue Reading5 Best Practices for Handling Hazardous Materials Safely
If your business generates hazardous waste, you should understand the importance of safe handling to protect your employees and the environment from potential harm. Unlike other waste, hazardous materials require special care when handled. Federal and local government regulations require specific ways of handling, transporting, and disposing of hazardous waste; companies that fail to comply
... Continue ReadingAre Solar Panels Recyclable?
In 2023, 3.4% of electricity generated across the United States came from solar panels with around 1.5 kWh produced daily. As more homes and businesses utilize solar energy, these numbers continue to increase yearly. The increased adoption of solar energy also means an increase in the amount of hazardous waste produced. According to the U.S.
... Continue ReadingWhat Do You Do with Expired and Leftover Beer?
Businesses, breweries, and stadiums go through gallons of beer every year. But what happens to expired and leftover beer? Because of its ingredients, you cannot pour it down the drain or into any bodies of water as it will cause environmental damage. This has left businesses and breweries with the daunting task of managing millions
... Continue ReadingAll About Landfills: Uses, Types, and More
Landfills are a tool used to handle the disposal of different types of waste in any industrialized society and are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When handling hazardous waste, the EPA encourages source reduction instead of landfills. However, the reality of industrial societies means that the generation of hazardous waste is
... Continue ReadingAFFF Alternatives
As a result of aqueous film forming foam being banned across the country and its slow removal from military bases, there’s been an immediate need to figure out the best alternatives to the effective fire suppressant. Despite how well it works, the dangers of aqueous film forming foam are too much with how the PFAS
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