Hazardous Waste Management Leicestershire

The management of hazardous waste involves reducing the production of hazardous substances, treating hazardous wastes so that their toxicity is reduced, and providing sound engineering controls that allow those wastes to be handled safely and with minimal exposure. 

Hazardous waste management and disposal are global challenges and as a result, The European Environment and Health Process includes waste as one of its priorities and among the topics of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health. Contact Leicestershire company on 01455 220323 to find out how you can play your part in the conservation of environmental health through hazardous waste recycling. We’ll also provide you with safe hazardous waste disposal bins, and deliver them to you for free. 

What is Hazardous Waste?

Hazardous wastes are wastes with toxic, chemical, or physical properties that require stringent technical controls in order to avoid harming people or the environment. The majority of hazardous waste is generated from chemical production, manufacturing, and other industrial activities. Hazardous waste can come in solid, liquid, sludge, or gas forms. Damage could result from improper storage, transportation, treatment, or disposal of these substances. It is common for improper hazardous-waste storage or disposal to contaminate surface waters and groundwater supplies, as well as to cause hazardous land pollution.

Management of hazardous waste in urban areas throughout the world has become a major challenge. The practice of managing hazardous wastes is closely regulated by governments to eliminate harm that has already been done and prevent further harm from occurring. To properly manage hazardous waste, its properties and the risks it poses must be fully understood.

Characteristics of Hazardous Waste

Chemical, physical, and biological properties determine the classification of hazardous wastes. Depending on their characteristics, these materials are either toxic, reactive, ignitable, corrosive, infectious, or radioactive.

Toxic waste

Wastes that contain toxic substances are poisonous, even in small amounts. Acutely, they can cause death or violent illness, or chronically, they can slowly inflict irreparable damage. Several of them are carcinogenic and can cause cancer with years of exposure. Many of them are mutagenic, causing major biological changes to humans and wildlife exposed to them.

Reactive Waste

Wastes that are reactive are chemically unstable and react violently when they are exposed to air or water. As a result, they cause explosions or release toxic gases.

Ignitable waste

Wastes that are ignitable burn at low temperatures and may cause an immediate fire hazard. An ignitability characteristic is used to label hazardous wastes as those that could cause a fire during the transportation, storage, or disposal process. Oil wastes and solvents that contain flammable components are examples of ignitable wastes.

Corrosive Waste

Corrosive materials include highly acidic or alkaline substances. Upon contact, they cause chemical reactions that destroy solids and living tissue.

Infectious Waste

Infectious waste is waste that contains blood or other bodily fluids. These wastes include used bandages, hypodermic needles, and other items from hospitals or biological research facilities.

Managing Hazardous Waste

In terms of hazardous waste management, a variety of options are available. Ideally, waste needs to be reduced at its source or recycled for another productive purpose. However, whilst recycling and reduction are desirable options, they aren’t regarded as a final fix to the problem of hazardous waste disposal. Regardless of its origin, there will always be some amount of hazardous waste that needs to be treated before being stored or disposed of. 

There are many different ways to treat hazardous waste, including chemical, thermal, biological, and physical treatment. The process of high-pressure incineration is among those that can both detoxify and destroy organic waste. This is also the safest and most sustainable method. At Leicestershire waste, we will safely transport your hazardous waste to waste disposal facilities and totally divert it from going to landfills. Don’t hesitate to call us today.