Proper Handling, Recycling, and Reduction of Chemical Waste
Hazardous substances are classified based on their potential health effects, whether acute (immediate) or chronic (long-term). Hazardous materials are often subject to chemical regulations. Hazmat teams are personnel specially trained to handle dangerous goods.
Proper handling of hazardous waste:
- Use Proper Storage Materials
- Maintain Appropriate Storage Areas
- Understand Your Requirements
- Train Your Employees
- Keep an up-to-date contingency plan
- Wear suitable protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, workwear, and working shoes. Ensure good ventilation, use cold water, and pour the product into the water, not the other way around.
In the U.S., chemical waste may fall under regulations such as Clean Water Act (Waste, Chemical and Cleanup Enforcement) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), and state and local regulations regulate chemical use and disposal.
A chemical waste (solid, liquid, gaseous) may be classified as hazardous or non-hazardous. If a chemical waste is classified as hazardous, it is Ignitable, Corrosive, Reactive, Toxic, and exceeds EPA’s allowable limits of RCRA Metals (Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, Silver). It is best to consult the safety data sheet (SDS), product datasheet, or product label for a list of constituents. These sources should state whether this chemical waste falls under those requiring special handling and disposal.
All products manufactured by Global Specialty Products USA, Inc. are considered ECO Friendly, non-Hazardous liquid (Solvent-based, Aqueous-based, and Soy-based), Recyclable, and FREE OF Ingredients listed on California PROP 65 and HAPs. These products offer HIGH resin loading, and once loaded with various kinds of soils, they become ‘SPENT” and may fall under the hazardous waste category. The removal of this liquid waste must be outsourced by a direct, reputable, and resourceful chemical waste management/hauler to characterize the waste and dispose of it according to the state and local EPA regulations.
Below is a recommended partial list of waste management companies; however, we are confident there are other qualified companies in your area. We strongly recommend you do your due diligence by checking off every step you need to pick the right partner to manage and haul away your liquid industrial waste.
- Miller Environmental Group
- Triumvirate
- Clean Earth
- Eldredge
- Covanta Environmental Solutions
- Hazwaste Solutions, LLC
- ChemCare Solvent Waste Management Services
Refer to SDS for use, disposal, and additional safe handling. Discharge your waste, spent material, or distill bottom, and screen out solids according to Federal, State, and Local Regulations. The effluent analysis is required for proper waste disposal. The spent material (Solvent-based & Soy-based Products) can be recycled via vacuum distillation (at 300 °F & 27 mm Hg) on-site or by a mobile reclamation service.
Contact your local EPA offices to obtain proper handling instructions, including a license to recycle your spent material.
