mercredi 5 avril 2017

Understanding The Challenges Of Universal Waste Maimi Dade Florida Officials Face

By Kimberly Fisher


When people leave trash on the ground or throw aluminum cans off the side of a boat, they are impacting the environment in a negative way. It may not seem like much, but over time these materials will affect wildlife, marine life, and possibly drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency may regulate more hazardous wastes, but the basic premise is the same. We have to be careful about how we dispose of unwanted items. The kinds of regulations regarding universal waste Maimi Dade officials must comply with are complicated.

These materials are more commonly found in households and handled by private citizens than the more toxic hazardous wastes generated by dry cleaners, oil refineries, auto mechanic shops, and exterminators. The EPA defines universal waste as falling into four categories that include, batteries, pesticides, mercury lamps, also fluorescent lamps, and mercury containing devices, such as thermometers. These are materials that will not dissolve and cannot be absorbed in the ground.

Years ago the federal government enacted the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, RCRA, to regulate the disposal, transportation, and handling of these materials. They also divided the elements into four categories, two of which are listed. Those considered small handlers adhere to minimal regulations. Schools, governments, industrial and commercial businesses, and manufacturers of hazardous products are considered large handlers.

Regulations governing these wastes vary from state to state. In addition to the four federal categories, some states have added items they deem hazardous. Louisiana and New Hampshire consider antifreeze a hazard. California and Colorado have added aerosol cans to their list. In Florida, pharmaceuticals are an additional category.

Moving these materials can be tricky, and the federal government has detailed guidelines that must be followed to the letter. These rules and regulations change periodically, so the professionals who transport hazardous wastes must keep up with the most current information. Roadway, rail, and air travel are all considered transportation. Even the local trucks that retrieve recycled trash from private homes, and go directly from their routes to a local center, fall under these rules. When individuals go to the post office, or some other carrier, they will be asked whether or not the packages they want to mail contain certain items.

Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways individuals can make a difference when it comes to protecting and respecting the environment. It reduces the wastes that would otherwise end up in landfills, and it promotes responsible re-use of materials.

There are special rules and regulations for landfills. Hazardous materials have to be handled differently than other trash. The land disposal restrictions program has developed regulations for depositing hazardous wastes on or in the ground. Drinking water is one of the main concerns. If these materials penetrate the ground and are picked by flood waters or rainfall, they may end up in the general water supply.

It should be clear to everyone that keeping the planet healthy is the best way to ensure the survival of the human species. Without that life, as it is now known, will not be viable.




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