The world produces tons of waste yearly, and there’s seemingly no end to it. For this reason, World governments go above and beyond to coordinate with each other for effective waste management. However, their efforts can only do so much because we also need to do our part. Naturally, every type of waste is included, even hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste is a problem because it causes harm to both human beings and the environment. It threatens our health and the environment because it contains pollutants that can destroy organic matter. For this reason, people are encouraged to handle hazardous waste safely, and efforts should be made to dispose of it properly. For this reason, we’ll answer some of the most common questions regarding hazardous waste, such as:
#1 – How Is Hazardous Waste Classified?
Hazardous waste is classified in many forms. These include:
Ignitability
Flammable waste can easily ignite and cause fire or explosion. The degree of flammability is determined by the concentration of flammable liquids or gases in the waste. A perfect example would be painted in its liquid phase.
Reactivity
This is the degree of instability of the waste. It could undergo a chemical reaction, causing violent chemical reactions. For example, if you mix acids and bases, what would happen? This would be a perfect example of a chemical reaction that’s prone to causing accidents.
Corrosivity
This describes the ability of the waste to corrode or dissolve other substances. The more corrosive material is, the more dangerous it becomes. In this case, the waste can cause corrosion to the inner organs and other body parts.
Aerosols
Aerosols are known for their ability to become airborne. While it’s not readily flammable, it can harm the environment significantly. For this reason, aerosols must be disposed of carefully.
It’s also worth noting that aerosols are among the most dangerous waste products. Other common products include solvents, pesticides, insecticides, and other similar products.
Asbestos
Very dangerous, asbestos poses a significant risk to workers’ health, especially those who inhale it. For this reason, waste asbestos must be handled by skilled professionals. While asbestos usage is heavily banned, it’s still possible to be exposed because of the remnants left behind.
Toxicity
Of course, most hazardous waste is toxic, but this doesn’t mean that every toxic waste is dangerous. In toxic waste, the toxicity is not immediate. Instead, it manifests its harm through long-term exposure. As such, toxic waste is almost always hazardous. This means that if you’re exposed to toxic waste, you won’t notice it until several days later.
Carcinogenic Substances
This type of waste can cause cancer to those exposed to it. As such, it should always be handled by experts. This is because even a tiny amount of carcinogenic substances can be fatal if absorbed into the body. Of course, carcinogenic waste is highly regulated because of its serious health risks.
Lead Acid
Lead acid is similar to sulfuric acid, which is also hazardous. It means that it can cause severe burns to the skin and damage other parts of the body.
Plasterboard
Plasterboard contains gypsum, which is highly toxic. As such, this type of waste is usually destroyed by incineration. It’s also known to cause cancer, and it’s carcinogenic.
#2 – How Should Hazardous Waste Be Stored?
Proper disposal is the most critical aspect of hazardous waste management. Handling hazardous waste is dangerous, primarily because of its many chemicals and other components. As such, it should be handled by skilled professionals. It’s also important to store hazardous waste in the proper containers. This will prevent accidental leaks that can cause harm to those in the surrounding area.
#3 – What Containers Should Be Used for Hazardous Waste?
There are different choices for hazardous waste containers. These include:
Yellow Hazardous Waste Bags
This is perhaps the most popular choice for hazardous waste bags. They’re colour-coded, making it easy to identify them, which is critical given that hazardous waste is the most dangerous type of waste.
The yellow waste bags will not be punctured when disposed of, and they’re resistant to tears and rips. You can store waste for a long time before it’s disposed of. If you go for this bag, you can expect to need many of them.
Cytotoxic or Cytostatic Waste Bins
If you’re storing cytostatic waste, you need a container made from high-quality plastic. If this type of waste is exposed to the environment, it can cause serious harm to living organisms. As such, it’s critical to ensure that the container is made of high-quality plastic. Ideally, it should be made of a material resistant to chemicals, and it should be resistant to punctures, cracks, and other types of damage.
Wheelie Bins
If you’re storing large quantities of hazardous waste, it’s a good idea always to use a wheelie bin. These are made of hard plastic, making them suitable for disposing of waste. It’s also important to note that you should use a wheelie bin made from hard plastic, not from a plastic susceptible to chemical damage.
Intermediate Bulk Containers
IBCs are pretty similar to IBCs for solid waste. However, unlike the solid waste types, an IBC for hazardous waste is constructed from stainless steel. Because of this, it’s more resistant to chemicals than regular IBCs.
#4 – Is It Possible to Store Hazardous Waste Outdoors?
While it may not seem possible, the good news is that you can store hazardous waste outdoors. However, you must ensure that it’s in a safe environment and that you use an appropriate container. Besides, you should never store it where people can trip over it.
For example, if you store chemical waste by the side of a road, you’re just asking for trouble. As such, it’s essential to keep it where it won’t cause harm to the public.
#5 – What Methods Should Be Used for Hazardous Waste Management?
There are two primary ways to dispose of hazardous waste. These include:
Incineration
Incineration is the most common method of hazardous waste disposal. It involves burning waste in the presence of oxygen. As such, this is a very effective method since it destroys waste very quickly.
To be effective, incineration must be done at very high temperatures, making it essential to use the right equipment. For example, you should always use a high-efficiency incinerator. It’s also considered one of the safest methods for disposal, so you’ll have little to no problems with it as long as it’s done correctly.
Recycling
While it may seem like hazardous waste is beyond recycling, it’s possible. Some types of hazardous waste, such as batteries, solvents, and aerosols, can be recycled. However, this is only possible if you’re using them for the proper purposes. For example, it’s possible to use batteries that were once used for electronics.
#6 – Can You Mix Hazardous Waste?
Under no circumstances should you mix hazardous waste. You should always use dedicated containers and avoid mixing the different types of waste. For example, combining hazardous waste with other types can result in more dangerous waste products, which can be even more harmful to the environment.
#7 – How Can Hazardous Waste Be Reduced?
The best way to reduce hazardous waste is to find alternative products for the ones that are hazardous. For example, you can use a non-toxic alternative to pesticides. It may be difficult, but it’s possible.
Of course, recycling is also an excellent way to reduce hazardous waste. You can also reduce it by using more sustainable products. It all depends on how you choose to manage it.
Conclusion
Managing hazardous waste is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You should have no problems following the correct procedures and using the right equipment. Besides that, you should be able to keep waste isolated from the environment and contribute to the safety of everyone around you.
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