Hazardous Waste Container Management
Course Description:
Containers are the most common unit used to store and transport hazardous waste. They are often preferred over tanks and surface impoundments largely due to the ease with which they can be handled and their relative inexpensiveness. Containers are a good option for hazardous waste handlers who want to store, transport, and dispose of hazardous waste without changing the unit. Before regulation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, containers were frequently mismanaged or abandoned. Some of the worst environmental disasters associated with hazardous wastes were caused by the failure of containers. When the abandoned containers became weathered or corroded, the hazardous contents were released, posing a far-reaching danger to human health and the environment. Additionally, many containers were not properly labeled or not labeled at all. As such, they posed hazards due to their “unknown” contents. Consequently, properly managing containers of hazardous waste is a critical part of the RCRA regulatory system for handling hazardous wastes safely, while protecting the environment and the health and well-being of workers and of the public. Each handler of containers of hazardous waste plays an important role in this process.
Why “Hazardous Waste Container Management” Matters:
At the completion of this module, the participant will be able to:
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Key Points:
- Understand the process of waste segregation by hazardous classes.
- Become familiar with the processes of storage area inspection and maintenance.
- Understand what you can do to practice and enforce waste minimization.
