mardi 4 avril 2017

Understanding The Challenges Of Universal Waste Maimi Dade Florida Officials Face

By Kimberly Fisher


Keeping the earth clean, including the oceans and coastal areas, should be a concern of everyone who inhabits it. Without breathable air and drinkable water, our days on the planet would be numbered. The Environmental Protection Agency was created to find the best ways to ensure the safety of all people, animals, and plants, as well as air and water. In doing so, they have established federal rules and guidelines that must be followed for the use, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials like the universal waste Maimi Dade Florida officials face every day.

Universal waste is differentiated from other kinds of wastes by category. The four categories are mercury filled materials like thermometers, mercury lamps including fluorescent, batteries, and pesticides. While they are considered hazardous, they are materials that private citizens are allowed to purchase and use every day. Although they are generally safe for public use, they should not be disposed of in the same manner as non-hazardous wastes.

The four categories mentioned are further divided into small and large handlers, transporters, and destination facilities. Small handlers face only minimum requirements. The larger handlers, such as governments, schools, commercial businesses, and hazardous product manufacturers have to follow more stringent rules. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, RCRA, governs the transportation, handling, and disposal of all these materials.

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.

There are long lists of regulations for companies in the business of transporting hazardous wastes. The rules apply whether the carrier is an airline, a railroad, a shipping company, or a trucking company. There are severe penalties for violations. Even though the truck that picks up local recycling may not go over the county line, it comes under the same jurisdiction. For a number of years now, any private citizen wanting to send a package through the mail has been asked questions regarding its contents.

Consistent recycling by the public is one of the best ways to dispose of trash. Local, state, and federal entities, involved with environmental concerns, encourage everyone to consider this option. It reduces the amount of trash a landfill has to absorb, and it creates a reclaimed product market. Dangerous materials are still dangerous after recycling however.

Local landfills are subject to the same regulations and federal guidelines as anyone else. They have to know what the land disposal restrictions program enforces when it comes to hazardous materials being deposited in or on the ground. Leaching happens when contaminants drain from the soil and penetrate a liquid, such as rainwater. If this happens, public drinking water can be compromised.

Everyone loves the convenience of these things which we use all the time. Handling and disposing of them in a responsible manner is an obligation we have to the planet and to future generations.




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