How to Properly Deal with Hazardous Waste

There are certain professions where, because everyone can more or less execute the basic principles, it’s easy to dismiss the expertise associated. For example, not everyone can ‘more or less’ perform a medical procedure, so we see doctors as incredibly specialized professionals – by contrast, most people can read and write a sentence, so it’s easy to underestimate the complexity of a profession such as a technical writer, despite their years of training and certifications. Cleaning can be much the same – we can all pick up a towel and a bottle of disinfectant, but that doesn’t mean we know the best practices, especially when there is a serious risk. Hazardous waste falls into this category so it’s important to know how to handle it, or call a professional that does, before you go in without a strategy.

What is hazardous waste?

Identifying hazardous waste is the very first step in handling it properly, as – spoiler alert – it probably won’t be a glowing green oozing substance flowing out of a vat with a skull and crossbones logo on the front (we’re sorry). Simply put, hazardous waste is any material or substance that could cause harm or damage to the health of an individual or to the environment if not processed and disposed of properly. Hazardous waste may not be what you’re expecting, as a few common items include harsh chemicals, which are probably a bit obvious, but also old computers, which not everyone may realize qualify as hazardous.

How to handle hazardous waste

The first step in handling hazardous waste is to try to avoid it entirely. First, identify all the hazardous waste at your home or business. You will almost certainly need to consult an online list to learn what does and does not qualify, as it can be complicated. Once you do learn all the hazardous materials on the site, try to eliminate whatever you can. In many cases, simply swapping out one product for another can be all you need to do. However in other cases (such as computers), it can’t be avoided, but you’ll know they qualify when the time comes.

In order to be safe, you’ll need to follow procedural guidelines for the handling and disposing of the unique item. Unfortunately, we can’t describe one single safe approach for you – such as ‘wear gloves’ – since every material is very different and has different needs. This may entail personal safety precautions, such as eye and skin protection (like gloves), or it may be a specific method of transportation, such as calling a certified service to handle it for you, or it may just be the method of disposal that matters, as is the case with computers and batteries. In some cases, the waste can be treated, which may mean reducing the volume or taking steps to make it less hazardous – this can sometimes be done by a permitted waste vendor, but should definitely not be attempted without proper knowledge and training.

Hazardous waste can certainly be a challenge for any person or business, but the most important step to handling it properly is awareness and education. If you’re even unsure about the best practice, the best option is always to call a professional to avoid risking your health or harm to the environment.