How to Physically Remove & Dispose of Hazardous Waste

Reuse of hazardous waste helps save money as wellas the environment.

Proper removal of hazardous waste is important for both your health and for the protection of your environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The most common method of hazardous waste disposal is the placement of the waste into a land disposal unit that adheres to the EPA's Land Disposal Restriction Program. Certain hazardous waste products can also be recycled and reused.

Instructions

1. Go to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website and look up the types of hazardous waste in order to determine whether the waste that needs to be disposed of can be classified as hazardous waste. Categorize your waste as listed, characteristic, universal or mixed.

2. Determine whether you are a generator of hazardous waste. If you are, read the generator summary chart on the EPA website to find the list of requirements that you need to comply with.

3. Call the local environmental health or solid waste agency for proper disposal directions.

4. Check with your municipality or local government to see if your community has a facility that collects household hazardous waste. Identify locations and designated days for drop-off of the waste.

5. Go to the EPA website and read the guidance manual for the RCRA recycling regulations if you need to remove industrial hazardous waste. Choose a responsible recycling facility with a history of environmental compliance, and have them pick up waste that meets the RCRA regulation.

References

• EPA: Hazardous Waste