How Is Toxic Waste Recycled?
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What is Toxic Waste?
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Toxic waste is defined as waste that is a threat to the public health and/or the environment. Toxic waste has at least one of several characteristics, including being flammable, corrosive, poisonous, and reactive with other chemicals. Toxic wastes are typically solid waste products but can also be gas or liquid products as well. Toxic waste is also waste that cannot be dumped or disposed of by typical means such as landfills, treatment, solidification, storage, or incineration. Toxic waste is ignitable if it can cause fires or explode suddenly. Corrosive toxic waste is acid-based and can corrode metal and other substances. Reactive wastes are unstable when placed in contact with day-to-day materials such as water. Reactive wastes can explode or produce poisonous gas.
How Toxic Waste is Disposed
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Toxic wastes are disposed of by several means. They cannot be released into a sewage system, where they could mix with organic material and react with combustion or cause damage to the sewer. Toxic wastes cannot be diluted or rendered inert by using other chemicals. Toxic wastes cannot be stored in the ground as they can leak and damage the soil and ground water. Solvents are stored in glass containers that will not corrode because of their makeup. Acids and bleaches are neutralized with other chemicals such as sodium bicarbonate. Once rendered inert, this formerly toxic waste can be diluted and poured into the sewer. Highly flammable waste such as ether can only be stored in sealed metal containers and not glass jars as it is highly combustible. The movement of metal lids on glass containers can be enough to ignite the substance. Solid waste that is dangerous is treated to lower its toxicidity and characteristics and then stored in collection containers. If the material cannot contact other materials or elements, it is secured away from heat, water, and other chemicals. Some hazardous waste is recycled into new uses, such as battery acid, materials for circuit board metals, and pavement filling.
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Toxic Waste and EPA
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The Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) is a government entity designed to maintain and protect public health and the environment. The EPA enforces laws and regulations affecting both business and personal impacts on the environment, including the disposal of hazardous waste. Handlers of toxic waste must conform to the agency's standards concerning properly disposing of or storing dangerous materials. Such standards are covered in the "Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest." EPA documentation requires tracking of hazardous waste from its leaving a site to its storage, treatment, or disposal. The "Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest" requires that waste disposal be verified as well as pertinent details, including amount, type, and processing.
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