How to Save Waste Management?
Hazardous waste is a source of risk for the environment and health. These wastes, generated from industrial, agricultural, service, and even domestic activities, constitute an environmental issue of special importance due to their volume (increasingly increasing) and as a consequence of the economic development process and its characteristics.
Its problems are associated with various causes such as, for example, the presence of impurities in materials, low process technology, deficiencies in operational practices, or the characteristics of products and substances at the end of their useful life, among others.
Thus, the producer or manager of hazardous waste is obliged to keep the waste stored inadequate hygiene and safety conditions while they are in their possession.
The maximum duration of storage will be six months (in exceptional cases, the competent body of the Autonomous Communities where such storage is carried out, for duly justified reasons and provided that the protection of human health and the environment is guaranteed, may modify this term). This period that we have mentioned will begin to count from the start of the deposit of waste in the storage place.
How to properly store Hazardous Waste Management?
Likewise, the following issues must be taken into account when storing hazardous waste:
- Separate property and do not mix waste with other substances, materials, or other waste.
- Maintain waste inadequate hygiene and safety conditions, packaged and labeled in the manner specified in international standards and current legislation.
- Differentiate the temporary storage area from the rest of the facility.
- Guarantee that the temporary storage area is accessible, especially for vehicles that have to remove hazardous waste, and also ensure that this storage area is clearly identified and identifiable by users.
It is also necessary that this area is equipped with a waterproof pavement, and that it has spill collection and containment systems (containment basins, perimeter drainage network, watertight manhole, or similar) without obstructions.
In addition, the storage area must also have protection from the elements, be a closed perimeter, and have mechanisms for restricting access appropriate to the danger, risk, and volume of waste.
- Comply with the safety and hygiene requirements that are applicable to maintain the temporary storage facilities inadequate conditions.
Basic tips to properly store hazardous waste
However, we also want to give you some basic advice so that you store hazardous waste correctly.
1. Select a suitable location: Outside undercover; inside the building itself or outdoors with hermetically sealed containers.
2. Waterproof the area: There must be a retention basin for spills or an impermeable floor (cement or concrete).
3. Define different areas according to compatibility: It is necessary to take into account the different types of stored waste and define different storage areas. It is also necessary to avoid any type of chemical reaction between the stored products, as well as between the stored substances and the construction materials.
Finally, point out other questions that it never hurts to take into account:
- Training of personnel in charge of the storage facility.
- Have safety signs.
- Have means of extinguishing fires if the type of our waste so requires.
- Have the necessary PPE for working with hazardous substances in storage.
- That the storage is sufficiently ventilated to avoid dangerous atmospheres and also that it has adequate lighting.
To carry out correct temporary storage of hazardous waste from a company, the best thing to do is to have the professional advice of your waste management company. We not only carry out correct management of hazardous waste, in accordance with the current legal framework. We also make sure that your company can obtain all the necessary certificates and successfully pass the inspections.
