What Is Hazardous Waste Disposal?

Hazardous waste is considered potentially dangerous to humans or the environment. It includes solids, liquids, gases and sludges and often includes discarded manufacturing wastes. Household items, such as used motor oil, paint, fluorescent light bulbs, solvents, corrosive materials, some cleaning products and pesticides, may be toxic and need to be disposed of properly. Treatment includes processes that change the waste or neutralize it to make it safe for transportation, storage or disposal.

Combustion

• Some wastes can be incinerated to destroy the hazardous material and to reduce the amount of waste. Combustion of some materials, such as solvents, can be used to generate heat or electricity.

Recycling

• Some hazardous waste, such as used oil and some metals, can be recycled to be used again.

Disposal

• Some hazardous wastes are disposed of directly into the ground at landfills or land treatment units. They depend on sunlight and soil microbes in the top layers of the soil that eventually convert the hazardous material. A vegetative cover is later used to close the units. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, liquid hazardous waste may be placed in underground injection wells that are regulated by the EPA.

Regulations

• The Environmental Protection Agency governs the disposal of hazardous wastes as well as storage facilities and recycling.

Household Hazardous Waste

• Local governments often offer special days for disposal of household hazardous waste. You can contact your local environment services agency to find out about disposal in your community.

Warnings

• Hazardous materials must be handled with care. For example, fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and a broken bulb in your home can contaminate a large area. Consult the Environmental Protection Agency about precautions for clean up of a broken bulb. It may be necessary to bring in a professional service to thoroughly clean up the site.