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Complete Guide to Hazardous Waste Disposal in Oklahoma
It is impossible to escape hazardous waste in the United States. Each household generates around 30 tons of hazardous waste each year.
Congress has enacted and the EPA enforces stringent laws about how that waste is disposed of. This is done to protect the health and safety of people and the environment at large.
What Is Hazardous Waste?
Hazardous waste is defined as any substance which could negatively impact the health of people or the environment. It is often composed of chemicals, waste, or hazardous waste suspended in a fluid medium. If it escapes, it can get into groundwater sources, poisoning animals and people.
It is for this reason that the restrictions and laws around disposing of hazardous waste have continued to become more stringent. Hazardous waste disposal in Oklahoma is handled by federal regulations.
Basic Requirements
The first, and most basic, requirement is that you have to have a suitable and approved container. This can be a holding tank on a truck, a stand-alone holding tank, or an approved barrel designed to hold hazardous liquid waste. A vehicle that is going to transport hazardous waste must be registered with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
The requirements are to prevent unsafe containers from being used. If the container is going to be dropped at a dump, it must be an approved dump. This is a dump that is designed to be able to handle liquid hazardous waste. There is an accreditation process that goes along with this.
The containers used in this case must have the name of the company or person who is dumping them. They must also have what type of hazardous waste is in the container and when it was placed there. Many of these labels also have a small description of the waste and the dangers it poses.
Methods of Disposal
There are a number of ways that hazardous waste disposal in Oklahoma works. Some waste, such as human waste, can be put into the municipal sewer system. There it will make its way to the sewer treatment facility and then be returned to the water system.
For chemical or heavy-metal waste, it must be taken to a dump. There are several possibilities when dealing with chemical waste. Some require de-watering the waste, while others can be safely stored in an approved container, such as a sealed barrel.
For some types of waste, a recycling center may be the preferred method of disposal. Whether it is a dump, a handling site, transfer location, or recycling center, they must be accredited and have a permit to operate. You can find more information about permits here.
The appropriate method of disposal will change based on the substance and the quantity. Those companies that are large-scale producers of hazardous waste have different requirements. For our purposes, we’re not going to cover large-scale producers, as they have a whole host of additional regulations.
Reporting Requirements
Even if you generate a small quantity of hazardous waste, you will have to submit a report every two years if you have periods of high waste generation. This enables the authorities to monitor the amount of waste that is being produced and disposed of.
You will have to keep track of what kind of waste is being generated. You’ll also need to have detailed records of how that waste is being transported and where it is being transported to.
Penalties for Improper Handling
Hazardous waste disposal, particularly that of liquid waste, is carefully monitored. This is due to the fact that liquid contamination can seep into groundwater and poison large areas. If you fail to follow the appropriate guidelines in the transportation and disposal of hazardous waste, you will be fined and penalized.
Remember that it isn’t just federal and state guidelines. You need to check with your local authorities to see what kind of local ordinances and regulations are in place. If you fail to meet up to all of these requirements, you can expect a fine at the least.
Professional Waste Management
Between having the proper permits and inspections, and the appropriate reports, dealing with hazardous liquid waste is complicated and time-consuming. If you own a business that needs to deal with hazardous waste, consider using a professional waste management company.
If you’re in the area of Tulsa, OK and need to deal with hazardous liquid waste, On Call Services & Rentals is here to help you. We are compliant with all federal, state, and local guidelines on hazardous liquid waste disposal.
On Call Services & Rentals
On Call Services & Rentals can handle all kinds of waste. We have holding tanks, dumpsters, and approved transportation. Instead of investing time and money into waste removal, contract your work to us. We will protect your company from the liability of moving and dealing with hazardous liquid waste.
If you’re interested in getting started, we are ready to provide you with solutions. Set up your appointment or consultation with us today.
