All About Recycling Hazardous Waste

All About Recycling Hazardous Waste

The purpose of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is “to promote the protection of health and the environment and to conserve valuable material and energy resources.” Aligning our own purposes with RCRA makes sense; it’s the best thing for both the environment and for business. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Learn more about RCRA

But when it comes to protecting health and the environment, waste management is a problem. It can be both harmful and costly. Reducing or minimizing waste before it is generated should always be your first defense in implementing sustainable practices, but sometimes waste just can’t be avoided.

It’s almost counterintuitive, but hazardous waste can be recycled. And it’s not just possible, but worthwhile; recycling your hazardous waste, instead of simply disposing of it, can lower costs and regulatory and safety obligations while contributing to pollution prevention.

Some different hazardous waste recycling activities are:

1.) Reclamation (processing a material to salvage a reusable product, such as recovering mercury from broken thermometers);

2.) Use Constituting Disposal (involves administering a hazardous waste directly to the land or mixing it into a product that will be applied to the land, such as using the hazardous waste as a fertilizer);

3.) Combustion for Energy Recovery (involves burning the hazardous waste as a fuel or using it as an ingredient to create a fuel);

4.) Direct Use and Reuse (using a waste directly as an ingredient in an industrial process to make a product, or using a waste as an alternative for a product).

There are many benefits – but it’s a serious practice. Recycling hazardous materials can sometimes pose a significant threat, and is therefore subject to the same rigorous regulations as hazardous waste disposal, storage, and treatment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed regulations to ensure hazardous waste recycling, waste handling and storage, would be executed in a cautious and reliable manner, complying with environmental regulations and waste management guidelines.

For more information, or assistance with hazardous waste recycling and sustainable waste management solutions, contact Hazardous Waste Experts, a reputable waste management consultancy. Contact Hazardous Waste Experts Here or call now at 800-936-2311 to speak with an expert and learn about the best practices for waste disposal and recycling, ensuring environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices.