Whatever your line of work might be, the safe and efficient disposal of waste is essential to keep things running smoothly. Depending on the type of waste you need to collect and dispose of, the systems you employ can either be a great help or an annoying hindrance.
Did you know that the US produces on average more than 1,700 pounds of waste per person?
Nobody likes to deal with waste, especially when it’s potentially hazardous to our health or the environment. The proper disposal of hazardous waste ensures safety while ensuring guidelines are met. Ignoring hazardous waste guidelines is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Read on to find out how to choose the right hazardous waste container for you!
What Is Hazardous Waste?
When considering how best to dispose of your waste, it’s important to understand how it’s categorized. Some of what you need to dispose of will likely be able to be thrown out as general waste without any special treatment. Other things such as paints and solvents, motor oil, batteries, and pesticides have to be handled with more care.
Any waste with potent or catalytic properties is potentially hazardous. For example, if you suspect the waste could contain acid or be corrosive, you can’t throw it in with your general waste. If you know it to be flammable, toxic, or otherwise reactive, these items will all require that you treat them as hazardous.
If you’re unsure how to categorize your particular waste, an easy way to double-check is to inspect the label. If there’s any kind of warning sign depicting the hazardous nature of contents, put it to the side to dispose of separately. If there’s no label and you’re still unsure, a quick search online should be sufficient to find out!
Choosing Hazardous Waste Containers
Due to the nature of hazardous materials, any container used to store them must meet certain standards of strength and durability. Hazardous materials must not be unable to permeate, corrode through or puncture the material they’re placed inside. This will ensure ease of cleanup while reducing the risk of potential pollution or damage they could cause if left unprotected.
Hazardous waste can generally be stored safely in any durable container made from any material that isn’t reactive to what’s being stored in it. This depends completely on the properties of the hazardous waste. While a metal crate can withstand potential fires, it wouldn’t be immune to the corrosive action of certain acids, for example.
Matching the container to the waste is crucial to avoid accidents. An airtight seal is also an important consideration for chemicals that can pervade the atmosphere. Some materials can release flammable gasses which are a particular cause for concern.
Containers for General Waste
Keeping hazardous and nonhazardous waste clearly defined with labels or signs is important. The last thing any employer wants is for an employee to reach for a bag, only to find it’s filled with caustic waste. The potential for disaster here is plain to see.
These two main categories will reduce danger and speed up the process of daily waste management tasks. A fantastic way to streamline things is to invest in some durable warehouse-grade trash receptacles. Made from heavy-duty materials, these reusable bags can hang wherever necessary and are pre-labeled.
The rack sack is a popular solution for general waste with an impressive variety of text and symbols to choose from. These designs make it simple to know what they’re for and what they’re likely to contain at a glance. While not suitable for hazardous waste, they still help to separate and organize your trash.
Purchasing the Correct Hazardous Waste Container
Hazardous waste container cost varies from solution to solution. Typically these containers are built to last for years and are made to be durable, so they’re an investment. They’re also signed for their use and may even have specific instructions in bold lettering.
The cost of buying dedicated hazardous waste containers may seem a little steep in comparison with a standard all-purpose bin. You have to remember that you’re buying peace of mind and the safety of everyone having to interact with the materials. Following the guidelines involving the handling of hazardous materials is impossible without them.
If a fire should start and spread from within a container that wasn’t rated or designed to withstand naked flames, you can kiss your insurance goodbye. Employees would also be well within their rights to complain to a standards committee or their worker’s union if not supplied with the appropriate tools to safely carry out their job. In the end, compared to potential disastrous alternatives, they’re a cheap solution.
Contained and Hazard Free
The knowledge you’ve got a specific hazardous waste container for all the types of waste you’re likely to have to dispose of is reassuring. It’s one less thing to worry about during the working day, and an irreplaceable cog in the machine. It’s not worth the worry or the danger to cut corners in this regard.
It’s our responsibility as individuals to look after each other and the environment. With the right bin or two, it’s never been easier!
If this article helped you understand the importance of choosing the right hazardous waste container, check out the rest of the blog! Who knows what other information you might find useful?