Today, we’ll look at different kinds of non-hazardous waste, and the reasons that it’s important to use best practices when disposing of them.
Pretty much any company is going to produce some kind of non-hazardous waste. Sometimes, it’s office papers that you don’t need anymore, while other times, it might be food that was thrown away. Now, while these are considered “non-hazardous” wastes, rather than hazardous varieties, it doesn’t mean you’re exempt from disposing of them the right way. Improper non-hazardous waste disposal can still negatively impact the environment. Today, we’ll look at different kinds of non-hazardous waste, and the reasons that it’s important to use best practices when disposing of them.
E-Waste
E-waste (electronic waste) is often found in settings such as medical buildings and offices. Items that fall under this category include lamps, computer monitors, and hospital gear, and televisions.
Now, while there aren’t any federal laws in effect at the moment that say you need to recycle electronics, half of the states in the country have already implemented recycling laws. In fact, you’ll likely be violating hazardous waste laws if you don’t dispose of electronics properly. That’s because electronics still have hazardous components that need to be separated from the non-hazardous pieces.
Medical Waste
A lot of people may believe that medical waste falls under the category of hazardous waste. While this can be true on some occasions, most types of medical waste are actually not hazardous at all. Did you know that only around 15% of medical waste tends to be considered hazardous?
As for non-hazardous medical waste, this includes items such as cardboard and paper products, leftover scraps of food, and plastic packaging.
When you dispose of this non-hazardous waste in the right way, you keep landfills from piling up as much. This is especially important for food waste because it is known to be the source of around a fifth of total methane emissions.
Industrial Materials
Common industrial materials are considered to be non-hazardous, according to most states in the country. Such materials include those such as sludge, grinding dust, antifreeze, and ash.
Just like with other types of waste we’ve mentioned, such as food-related wastes, even non-hazardous industrial items can cause harm to the outdoors, and it can negatively affect human health. It’s for this reason that you need to dispose of these wastes in the places where they will be the least harmful. A professional non-hazardous waste disposal company can help you out if needed.
Call AEG Environmental for Waste Management Services!
AEG Environmental has the skills, resources, and training to solve any environmental issue you may face. Our team has over 27 years of experience transporting and disposing of non-hazardous, hazardous, infectious, and universal wastes. We welcome projects big and small and pride ourselves in our exceptional customer service. If you need help remaining in compliance with hazardous waste training, contact us today!