['Waste']
['Waste', 'Hazardous Waste', 'Solid Waste', 'Waste Generators', 'Waste Identification']
10/18/2024
Copyright 2024 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
...
More than 60,000 industrial facilities in the United States produce and manage an estimated 7.6 billion tons of non-hazardous industrial waste. A waste is defined as nonhazardous if it does not meet the definition of hazardous waste and is not subject to hazardous waste regulations in Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Defining a waste as nonhazardous under RCRA does not mean that the management of this waste is without risk, however.
Industrial waste is process waste associated with manufacturing. These wastes come from the broad spectrum of American industries. This waste usually is not classified as either municipal waste or hazardous waste by federal or state laws. Although state, tribal, and some local governments have regulatory responsibility for ensuring proper management of industrial waste, their regulatory programs vary widely.
Almost 97 percent of industrial waste is wastewater managed in surface impoundments. The remainder is managed in landfills, waste piles, and land application units. Most of these wastewaters are treated and ultimately discharged into surface waters under Clean Water Act permits issued by EPA or state governments (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, permits).
Non-hazardous industrial waste is regulated under Subtitle D of RCRA. Federal requirements for non-hazardous industrial waste facilities or practices are found in 40 CFR Part 257, Subparts A and B.
Key steps to managing industrial waste
Understand and comply with all existing federal, state, or tribal regulations, permits, and operating agreements that apply to a waste management unit.
Thoroughly characterize constituents and concentrations in your waste. Waste characterization is the foundation for choosing and implementing tailored, protective management practices.
Take advantage of pollution prevention opportunities. Pollution prevention, recycling, and, to some extent, treatment, can minimize reliance on waste disposal, reduce disposal costs, and reduce future costs and liabilities for closure and post closure care and potential corrective action. Pollution prevention can also conserve raw materials.
Build partnerships between all stakeholders who have an interest in waste management decisions. Keep stakeholders informed and involved on an ongoing basis.
Tailor management practices to the wastes and the environmental setting of the unit. Key factors to take into account include siting, operation, design, monitoring, corrective action, closure, and post closure care. EPA recommends risk-based approaches to choose liner systems and waste application rates for ground-water protection and to evaluate the need for air controls.
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['Waste']
['Waste', 'Hazardous Waste', 'Solid Waste', 'Waste Generators', 'Waste Identification']
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