Yes, you read that correctly – free money! Does your facility generate hazardous waste and fall under the EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)? Then you already know you’re responsible for classifying, managing, and disposing your hazardous waste properly. But did you also know you’re responsible for waste minimization? There’s even a statement on the hazardous waste manifest that, by signing, large and small quantity generators certify that they either have:
- “A program in place to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated to the degree I have determined to be economically practicable and I have selected the practicable method of treatment, storage, or disposal currently available to me which minimizes the present and future threat to human health and the environment;” or
- “… made a good faith effort to minimize my waste generation and select the best waste management method that is available to me and that I can afford.” 40 CFR 262.27
Earth Day (April 22nd) could be your reminder each year to review the processes at your facility to find if and where hazardous substances can be either:
- Reduced,
- Replaced by less hazardous materials or non-hazardous materials, or
- Eliminated altogether.
Perhaps you can even qualify for free money with a pollution prevention (P2) grant in the future. The EPA has a webpage dedicated to pollution prevention; with tons of helpful links to tools and calculators and more information about safer choices, pollution prevention events, and the P2 grant programs.
Need help navigating the RCRA rules or managing your hazardous wastes on-site? Safety Partners can help!
Take our RCRA for Life Sciences, Very Small and Small Quantity Waste Generators web-based training or Contact us!
This blog was written by Kim Folger, Training and Development Manager at Safety Partners.
