Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage & Disposal Facilities
The purpose of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal (TSD) facility is to assure safe and environmentally sound management of hazardous waste materials. A TSD facility may destroy the waste, treat the waste so that is no longer harmful, or recycle it. A facility may place the waste in a secure storage unit to prevent environmental contamination. Although some TSD facilities exclusively perform one type of process (such as recycling), many facilities operate several processes in the same location.
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Recycling
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The best option for managing hazardous waste is to beneficially recycle or reuse the waste material. For example, a solvent recycling facility can distill (purify) waste solvent, then sell the resulting product for reuse. Fuel-blending facilities accept flammable wastes, blend them together to precise specifications, then sell the mixture as fuel for cement kilns or incinerators. Used oil recycling facilities clean and re-sell the oil. Other facilities recycle batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, valuable metals and electronic scrap.
Treatment
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Treatment facilities change the characteristics of the waste to make the waste material less hazardous. For example, an acid waste can be neutralized, eliminating the corrosive hazard. Incineration is another form of treatment. Incineration destroys hazardous organic compounds and reduces the overall volume of waste that must be managed. Wastes may also be mixed with substances that will bind, or stabilize, toxic constituents so that they will not escape during long-term storage or disposal.
Storage
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All facilities need to store wastes, at least temporarily, while waiting to be processed. Generators of hazardous waste need to store waste for short periods, while accumulating sufficient quantities for shipment. Most facilities have limits on the time they can hold waste and how much can be stored at any time. This prevents facilities from accepting more waste than they can safely manage. However, for some types of radioactive wastes, long-term storage is the only technological option currently available. These wastes are processed (stabilized) and stored in special radioactive waste repositories.
Disposal
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Disposal is the placement of waste on the land or into a landfill. Disposal facilities are designed to permanently contain the waste and prevent harmful chemicals from contaminating the environment. Examples include secure landfills, surface impoundments and injection wells. This is the least preferred option because it does not destroy the harmful constituents, only confines them. In a way, disposal in a landfill is just another form of long-term storage.
Regulations
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TSD facilities are heavily regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. TSD facilities must apply for special permits, maintain records and file detailed reports. The facilities must implement safeguards to protect workers and the environment. TSD facilities also must demonstrate that they are financially solvent, with sufficient reserves or insurance to handle any potential future clean up costs.
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