Effective chemical waste management practices are essential in order to avoid any of the hazardous commonly associated with dangerous waste items. This is true for both household chemical waste and those produced by industrial practices.
Both hazardous and chemical waste are naturally treated with care by waste management companies. Many of these practices do not break from more conventional waste disposal best practices.
This means that understanding some of the common chemical waste management practices can help anyone interested in waste management to find more effective ways of waste disposal.
This blog outlines some 9 common chemical waste management practices in the hopes of shedding light on both this specific niche of waste disposal and towards the larger waste management sphere.
What is Chemical Waste?
Chemical waste refers to the disposed of materials that are chemical in nature. This includes solid, gas, and liquid waste. It includes both household chemicals and industrial chemicals.
While saying that the chemical waste generated is the result of unused chemicals is somewhat obvious, it does tap into the larger definition of waste and helps to distinguish it from other waste types.
Waste, in effect, merely refers to things that are no longer wanted. This could be in the form of simple household trash like rotting food, but it can also be the result of excess production.
Given the varying reasons that something can become trash, no single disposal method is relied on. Rather, waste management companies like Cleanway treat waste in a careful and environmentally friendly way that differs depending on the waste type.
Chemical Waste vs Hazardous Waste
The difference between chemical waste and hazardous waste is something that we discuss frequently. In short, chemical waste can be hazardous waste, just as hazardous waste can be chemical waste. However, this does not mean that all chemical waste is necessarily hazardous, and vice versa.
Hazardous waste management can involve chemical waste disposal. But it can also involve organic waste and food waste disposal, none of which are chemicals in the general sense.
Hazardous substances might always be present in waste items. This is why it is important to consult a waste management team before dealing with it.
What is Chemical Waste Management?
Chemical waste management includes appropriately dealing with hazardous waste materials by managing their handling, storage, and disposal to avert health risks while minimising environmental hazards.
It entails following specific guidelines, using particular types of facilities, and adopting better behavioural practices even if you do not handle different chemicals on a daily basis.
In Australia, the management of chemical waste is a national issue meant to protect sophisticated ecosystems, including intricate coral reefs, sprawling deserts, busy urban centres, and remote rural areas.
9 Common Chemical Waste Management Practices
The nine practices of chemical waste sorting and segregation outlined below serve the country’s material management objectives of chemical waste while minimising risks associated with chemical waste in Australia.
Identify Hazardous Materials
Some of the chemical wastes that can be identified include paints, batteries, pesticides, products such as motor oils, and cleaning products. Labels consigned with warnings like “toxics,” “corrosive,” or “flammable” call for attention and must be handled with care.
Effective Storage
Chemical waste must be stored in well-sealed containers which must have labels and must be stored in a cool, secure, and dry place. Prepared containers should also be kept away from children’s reach as the substances in them can trigger chemical reactions.
Use Designated Drop Off Points
For disposal, take used paints or batteries to designated drop-off zones in private collection centres or council-sponsored collection centres. Disposal devices exist within particular geographical boundaries and centres like Canberra, where used paint and battery disposals are free.
Dispose Of General Containers Only
Never dump any form of chemical waste into general rubbish and recycling bins. This could lead to waste contamination, environmental damage, and even hefty penalties considering the fact that harmful substances could seep into landfills.
Go For Professional Services
In cases with great amounts of business waste or debris produced from renovations, consider hiring professional services. With Cleanway, the hazardous waste process is easier because they take care of the entire procedure from handling to safe disposal, which mitigates the risks.
Reducing Chemical Waste
The use of chemicals can be reduced by selecting alternatives that are eco-friendly like biodegradable cleaners or natural pesticides. Simply reducing the amount used generates less waste and lowers the overall dependence on disposal services.
Recycle Where Possible
Motor oils, batteries, and some solvents are also considered promising chemical products that can be recycled. Specialised recycling services are also available in some areas and can even be found on council listings.
Educate Your Household Or Team
Encourage family or work colleagues about the proper ways of disposing of waste illegally. Just mere awareness through workshops or a written guide can translate to a lot of practical steps that can avoid mistakes and build a mindset based on responsibility.
Advantages of Proper Practices in Chemical Waste Management
The advantages of practising responsible management of hazardous chemical wastes transcend the individual. Appropriately using designated steps for tracking these wastes leads to enhanced control, effectiveness in terms of time, and techniques deployed.
Environmental Advantages
Responsible waste disposal deters pollution, helping to save Australia’s waters, lands, and animals. In addition, it reduces emissions of gases that are improperly controlled while preserving other ecosystems like the Daintree Rainforest and the Murray-Darling Basin.
Economic Advantages
Avoidance of penalties for improper disposal translates to monetary savings. Efficient waste processes and resource recycling benefit businesses as they reduce expenditures. Households utilising cheaper cleaning alternatives also save money.
Social Advantages
Effective management ensures proper maintenance to keep community areas safe, orderly, and liveable, which improves the standard of living. It enhances confidence in local waste management systems and promotes civic responsibility, particularly in close-knit rural communities.
Why is this important to Australians
Australia is also home to exquisite ecosystems delicately vulnerable to human intervention. Chemical waste, for instance, would directly harm these biomes and our biodiversity.
Similarly, the can harm human health in various ways, especially when they are not safely dispose of.
Government statistics show that there is an increasing concern surrounding Australia’s hazardous waste. The government has set strict policies to contain it, which means it is an alarming issue.
Illicitly disposing of waste chemicals makes it difficult to comply with laws, harms the environment, and undermines sustainability objectives, depleting our national resources. Every household and unit in the country is responsible for safeguarding Australia.
Conclusion
All in all, following these nine guidelines on managing chemical waste makes it possible to safely and sustainably handle these materials. Take action by identifying chemical wastes and determining the local drop-off points.
Additional hazardous waste services alongside valuable resources are available on Cleanway’s website. Together, let’s manage chemical waste effectively and preserve Australia’s environment and reform national assets.