In maximizing profit margins, most companies are obsessed with transforming raw materials into a finished product. All that matters is the bottom line. Along the way, product engineers can often overlook the insidious and dirty nature of manufacturing. Pollutants and contaminants are the byproducts that we don’t routinely think about during the manufacturing stage. If not properly secured and disposed of, these harmful and dangerous toxins can get into nearby streams and rivers. A lack of oversight can do irreparable harm to our environment and result in thousands of dollars in fines from the EPA. Compliant hazardous waste storage is just as important as fulfilling orders and securing new clients.
What is Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous waste is the end result of byproduct of any manufacturing process that can take the form of a solid, liquid, gas or even sludge. The EPA has compiled a list of stringent guidelines and regulations for identifying and storing hazardous waste products. Below is a list of just some of the common hazardous waste materials that can contaminate our vulnerable ecosystem. The EPA characterizes waste based on ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and toxicity.
- Leftover or hold household paint
- Solvents
- Pesticides for lawn and gardens
- Old medicines
- Old computer equipment
- Motor oil and fuel
- Batteries
Compliant Household Hazardous Waste Storage
Industrial complexes are not the only facility impacted by hazardous waste storage. Households are teeming with dangerous toxins and chemicals that we often don’t think twice about. Everything from the used car batteries in your garage to that old bottle of liquid plumber underneath the sink are considered common examples of household hazardous waste. Many municipalities are also ill-prepared to accommodate sudden influxes of hazardous waste products. Due to the reactivity of these substances, it’s impossible to just throw away or discard hazardous waste items into the nearest landfill or dump.
As environmental stewards, townships owe it to their tax paying citizenry to provide compliant household waste storage options to keep their lakes and streams pristine for future generations. Because our fire-rated storage lockers are equipped with metal partitioned walls, we can provide segregated chemical storage for hazardous waste items based on corrosivity, toxicity and flammability, all under one roof. Our compliant hazardous waste storage lockers can alleviate temporary storage dilemmas until the waste can be collected and properly disposed of by an independent contractor.
