What is Hazardous Waste?

The definition of hazardous waste is simple – it is anything that is harmful to human or animal health or to the environment. It can be in any form – solid, liquid, sludge or gas. While manufacturing industries are the biggest producers of this waste, hospitals, offices and homes also contribute in the form of batteries, electrical items, cleaning materials and so on. Hazardous waste must be disposed of differently, from biodegradable waste.

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Why Proper Disposal Is Important?

Hazardous waste is toxic. If it is not disposed of properly, it can put human, animal and plant life in danger.  Contamination in the soil can leach into the water supply and the atmosphere. When this happens life and health are put at risk. The property values in an area that is contaminated plummet and the polluters are liable to fines and lawsuits.

The Right Way to Dispose It

The easiest way to begin is to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that is produced. For manufacturers among the steps that can be taken are:

  • Replacing hazardous material with safer ones.
  • Improving manufacturing processes to reduce waste.
  • Using better and more modern equipment.
  • Training employees in waste handling practices.

For the home:

  • Recycle everything you can.
  • Donate all that can be donated.
  • Consider repair instead of replacement where possible.
  • Dispose of hazardous waste properly instead of pouring it in toilets, down the drain, or in the ground.

Sign Up with a Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Specialist

You may be doing all of the above and more. But your responsibility to your community and the planet does not end there. What if the hazardous waste you have been so careful with is dumped in the wrong place, in the wrong way? There are a lot of fly-by-night waste collection companies that only want to collect your garbage and bill you for it. They dump the waste wherever they can, with no regard to the pollution they cause, so they can move on to the next job. All your efforts to be a good citizen go down the drain.

Using a licensed and reputed green trash haulage and disposal company is neither more difficult nor more expensive. The good ones offer 7 days a week service and can be depended upon to collect your garbage and ensure that it is disposed of in the correct way. When trash is dumped at a disposal site, there is a charge which you have to bear. However, plenty of material can be recycled and the green haulage companies sell this and will share the income with you, lowering your overall costs. Being really green will not empty your pocket.

Check out the company you are using and find out how green they really are.

Finding the Right Company

If you have doubts about the company you are using, finding the right one is easy. Talk to green haulage and disposal companies to find one you can depend on to do the job the right way. Ask for details on how they operate, how trash is disposed of and how recyclable materials are sold. The one that gives you clear and direct answers, and is backed by reputation and experience, is the one you that you can depend on and be sure off.