According to the Environmental Protection Agency, around 6,600 facilities across the U.S. generate hazardous waste, with over 262 million tons of municipal solid waste reported in 2015.
And How They Can Benefit from Resource Recovery
With the July 1 deadline for Toxic Release Inventory reporting rapidly approaching, companies across the U.S. are evaluating their calendar year’s toxic chemicals releases. It is common at this time of year to reevaluate and search for new strategies to manage, minimize and recycle chemical waste for a better report next year.
The due date of July 1, 2019 is fast approaching, and if you work for a facility that meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria, you are probably already preparing your RY 2018 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report. In fact, almost all industrial facilities are required to submit their TRI annually, which the EPA publishes in a national, public database. The information is made available to the public about how companies are managing their toxic chemical and hazardous waste and what types of toxic chemicals they are releasing into the environment over the calendar year.
Once you have determined that your company generates hazardous waste, it is time to determine what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines as your "generator status" or "enerator category." Your generator status depends on the amount of hazardous waste your company produces each month and must always be measured in pounds. Ultimately, your generator status affects how you should manage your hazardous waste to be in compliance with federal and or State regulations.
This post is a continuation of our post 5 Devastating Consequences of Improper Waste Disposal: Part I. If you haven’t already, you can read it here.
The Importance of Waste Management
For generators of any size, successfully managing a waste disposal program can be extremely challenging. Between training employees on protocols and remaining in compliance with ever-changing local, state, and federal regulations while being cost-efficient, it can seem impossible to manage with so many moving parts. But the consequences of mishandled waste can cause irreparable damage not only to your employees and your business but far beyond.
Whatever product or service your company intends to produce — whether you operate a printing business, a mid-size painting operation or are a large consumer commodity manufacturing company — you may also generate something you may not have intended: hazardous waste. These solids, sludges, liquids, or gaseous materials have the potential to harm the environment or human health if they are thrown into landfills and disposed of improperly.