Hazardous Waste Articles & Guides
When discussing hazardous waste management and disposal, it’s important to make sure you’re using the term correctly. Regulatory definitions of “hazardous” cover topics like biohazardous waste, hazardous drugs, hazardous waste, and hazardous substances. Once you understand the types of hazardous waste, you’re ready to determine whether your facility is a hazardous waste generator and learn safe ways to handle, store, and dispose of hazardous wastes.
The full history of hazardous waste disposal is relatively recent. Until the 1970’s, we didn’t distinguish between household waste and industrial waste. They were treated the same and dumped into the nearest hole, marsh, waterway, or onto an undesirable piece of land (think Love Canal)! That ended with the passage of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in 1976.
Since that time, regulatory compliance has gotten more complex. Regulators and healthcare providers have to handle the disposal of newer, specialized types of waste including chemotherapy waste and other types of hazardous drug waste (including some anti-viral and bioengineered drugs), and hazardous waste pharmaceuticals.
Specific industries face unique challenges in the management of hazardous wastes. As the regulatory environment changes, they must stay up-to-date on safety and disposal requirements:
But consider this: safe hazardous waste disposal isn’t just a healthcare or industrial issue. Ordinary households also generate hazardous waste – yours included! Review our infographic to learn more about 10 common items you should never toss in your trash.
Sharps Compliance is a nationwide provider of regulatory compliant services and has extensive experience helping companies in the healthcare industry. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you with the determination, storage, transportation, and treatment of hazardous waste.