Not many people care about disposing of the hazardous waste in the right bin. The idea of chemical waste disposal might seem simple but one wrong move can cause a major fine for you and your business. It won't just be a safety risk, but if the offense is bad, be prepared to greet fed officers at your front door. It doesn't matter whether you work in a lab or a hospital, knowing what goes in an RCRA hazardous waste container is absolutely important not just for the sake of compliance but also for the sake of safety.
Below we will break down everything you need to know about RCRA waste without any confusing jargon or boring details.
RCRA stands for Resource Conversation and Recovery Act which is like a set of rules and standards that businesses can follow to dispose of their hazardous waste without polluting the environment. These rules are absolutely crucial for places where hazardous waste is commonly produced.
For this waste, workers use special containers like the RCRA containers. They throw any waste that is reactive, corrosive, toxic, and flammable in these containers and secure it safely. However, while these are sturdy and built to last, if you throw in any stuff here that doesn't belong or even mix different waste types together, you will have a major safety risk in your hands that won’t just harm your surroundings but also get you fined heavily.
To help you remember easily, keep the word S.A.F.E in your mind which stands for Solvents, Acids, Flammables, and Explosives. Here is a complete list of what goes in an RCRA hazardous waste container. Any cleaners or degreasers like chlorine etc. These are pretty strong chemicals and can be a big health risk if not disposed of properly. There is a good chance of a chemical being on the flammables list by the EPA if it stings the eyes and nose.
Some examples are Methylene Chloride, Toluene, Xylene, and Acetone (which is very commonly found in nail polish removers). People fail to realize that these chemicals are super common in places like auto shops, art schools, and laboratories.
If an item is capable of catching fire even at room temperature, you already realize how dangerous it can be. This includes any rags soaked in oil or gasoline, cleaners with alcohol in them, paint thinners, and other petroleum products. These don't belong in your regular waste bins, and you should only throw them in RCRA containers.
These include acids and bases, chemicals that can burn your skin pretty badly. Some of these are even strong enough to melt down metals so you get the idea why they should be disposed of in safe RCRA containers. A good tip to make the disposal easy is to check their pH and if it is below 2 or above 12.5, it's corrosive.
Some of these are Sodium Hydroxide, Sulfuric Acid, Ammonia cleaners, Hydrochloric Acid, etc. Do check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for more information on chemicals that are hazardous.
These aren't as common as solvents and flammables but they are still risky to deal with. Peroxides, cyanides, sodium metal and any old lab agents are some reactions and explosives that you should dispose of with extra care.
What To Not Throw In RCRA Bins
On the flip side, here is what you should never throw in these containers.
- Office waste: Paper cups, food wrappers, and used paper belong in regular bins.
- Sharps and Biohazards: Blood-soaked items, needles, and other biohazard items are not RCRA waste.
- Electronics: Old batteries, phones, bulbs, etc don't belong here.
If you still feel unsure about any material you are trying to get rid off, just check the SDS for the item or chemical and you will know if it goes into RCRA hazardous waste containers.
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