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The Types of Toxic Waste Disposal

It is essential that toxic waste be disposed of properly to reduce the chance of toxic pollutants entering the air, soil and water supply. Toxic waste can be treated to change the physical, chemical or biological character and make it less of a threat to the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, toxic waste can be combusted, placed into or on land in disposal facilities or injected into underground wells.

  1. Combustion

    • Combustion, or incineration, destroys hazardous organic components and lessens the volume of waste. According to the EPA, more than 3.1 million tons of hazardous waste were disposed of through combustion in 2005. Combustion can be used to dispose of both solid and liquid toxic waste. Incinerators burn toxic waste and are used for waste destruction. Metals do not combust, making incineration ineffective for metal-bearing toxic waste. Boilers and industrial furnaces are used to recover energy in steam, heated fluid or heated gas form. Combustion methods are regulated under the Clean Air Act, which protects the environment and human health from air pollution by setting limits for emissions of air pollutants.

    Land Disposal

    • Disposal facilities for toxic waste are designed to contain the waste permanently, preventing release of pollutants into the environment. Land disposal methods include the use of landfills, surface impoundment, waste piles and land treatment units. The EPA maintains the Land Disposal Restrictions program, which ensures toxic waste is properly treated before it is disposed on land. These limits minimize the dangerous effects of toxic waste on the environment and human health.

    Underground Injection

    • Liquid toxic waste is commonly disposed of by way of underground injection wells. Due to potential impact on drinking water, injection wells are carefully regulated by the Underground Injection Control program under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The UIC regulates all aspects of injection wells, including siting, construction, operation, permitting and closure, to prevent toxic contaminants from entering water sources. The UIC also keeps state regulators and injection well owners and operators informed on safe well operation, preventing contamination of underground drinking water resources.

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