The United States manages an estimated 35 million tons of hazardous materials annually, with the average household contributing 30lbs per year. From 2001-2019, data highlights that most hazardous waste contains wastewater (wastes containing a large amount of water). Wastewater is most-often generated from chemical manufacturing and the petroleum and coal products manufacturing industry. Other hazardous
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Hazardous 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 ReadingBest Practices for Handling Hazardous Waste on Construction Sites
With everything else happening on a construction site, the last thing you need is an EPA inspector finding broken hazardous waste regulations. Depending on the project, demolitions and renovations often interact with various hazardous materials (some to the environment, some to your employees). This guide to handling hazardous waste on construction sites helps you identify
... 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.
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While everyone is familiar with the need for antifreeze to keep their car’s engines at the right temperature, did you know that the same ingredients are used in HVAC systems to protect your system from temperature fluctuations? We are talking about the main ingredient of antifreeze, glycol. Available in two primary forms, ethylene glycol, and
... 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 ReadingWhat to Expect from a DEP Inspection
Attention small and large quantity hazardous waste generators: is your business following proper protocols and procedures to avoid violations during a DEP inspection? If you are unsure about the regulations surrounding hazardous waste and your business, you may be breaching regulations and face serious financial penalties. All generators of hazardous waste must follow Resource Conservation
... Continue ReadingFrom the Lot to the Junkyard: How Much Waste Does Your Car Produce?
Approximately 17 million new passenger vehicles will hit the roads in 2021 while another 27 million cars worldwide reach their final destination of the great car park in the sky. Made from over 30,000 different parts, every automobile comes with a lot of hazardous and non-hazardous car waste. Between your batteries, tires, and various fluids,
... Continue ReadingWhat’s the Difference between Toxic and Hazardous Waste?
Many times the labels “toxic waste” and “hazardous waste” are used interchangeably. People outside the hazardous waste industry often use them to label anything that poses environmental or public health threat. It generally gets thrown under the umbrella of hazardous or toxic waste, even though it’s not truly accurate. Even many people in the industry
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