Complying with the regulations regarding hazardous waste and its handling and disposal is complicated, time-consuming, and expensive.

By far, the best option is to not produce hazardous waste in the first place. Even though changes in processes or raw materials may cost money, eliminating hazardous waste in your workplace will reduce health hazards; prevent pollution; save money in handling, training, and disposal; and reduce your-long-term liability.

Join us on January 26 for an in-depth webinar that will help you prepare your company for the new year. Be sure to bring along your management team to learn the specifics and set a course for your company's compliance strategy.

Register Now »

Learn More »

However, if you just can't eliminate hazardous waste in your workplace, the next best thing is to reduce it. Here are some tips for reducing the hazardous waste you generate.

• Rotate chemicals to keep them from becoming outdated. Many chemicals (for example, paint) have a shelf life. By ensuring you use the oldest first, you reduce the amount you have to throw away because it has become outdated and unusable. (One way to help ensure you're using the oldest first is to mark your containers with the month and year when they are purchased and put into a storage area.)
• Order only as much as you will use. This takes some forethought and planning, but it is especially important if the chemical you will be using is for a one-time or infrequent use, or if the chemical has a short shelf-life. And if you've found that you've ordered more than you need, see if you can return what you haven't used to the manufacturer rather than disposing of it.
• Share. When doing your chemical inventory for your hazard communication (hazcom) program, take note of what departments use the same chemicals. When possible, use common storage areas so that the chemicals can be shared or develop a system for informing all departments of what's available to prevent them from purchasing unneeded quantities of chemicals.
• Reuse spent solvent. If your facility uses solvents, use spent solvent for initial cleaning and fresh solvent for the final rinse only.
• Reduce spills and leaks. The cleanup of spills and leaks from hazardous materials often generates hazardous waste. Use drip-free faucets for dispensing, include leak checks in your regular inspection regimen, and use spill pallets and appropriate containers and storage methods to reduce the spills and leaks in your facility.
• Avoid mixing hazardous and nonhazardous waste. Train employees to recognize the difference between what should be disposed of as hazardous waste and what should not — and that they should not mix the two. Post signs near hazardous waste disposal areas to remind employees of this, and monitor your hazardous waste quantities. If you see an increasing trend, investigate to determine why the amount is increasing.

Hazardous Waste Management in California: Navigating Your Obligations Under Both State and Federal Law

Hazardous wastes are regulated by the federal government under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In addition, California has its own laws that govern both RCRA and non-RCRA wastes — including waste oil — which makes compliance particularly difficult for California businesses.

Additionally, while incorrectly characterizing your waste can jeopardize your compliance and put you at risk for six-figure or seven-figure penalties, these mistakes could also be costing your company money off the bottom line. For a variety of reasons, it makes sense to make sure that you're getting it right.

Join us on January 26 for an in-depth webinar that will help you prepare your company for the new year. Be sure to bring along your management team to learn the specifics and set a course for your company's compliance strategy. You'll learn:

• The key differences between the state and federal rules
• New regulatory and legislative changes you need to know about
• Step-by-step regulatory compliance tips for both the Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA rules
• Why accurate identification and classification of waste is critical in understanding your responsibilities in storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal
• Training requirements as mandated by the state of California and the federal Department of Transportation
• Cost-saving tips for correctly classifying wastes the first time around

Register Now »

Learn More »