Hazardous Waste

Republic of the Philippines
UniversityofS outheasternP hilippines

Bislig Campus
Maharlika, Bislig City
HAZARDOUS
WASTE
Submitted by:
Miane D.Bernil
Submitted to:
Felicisimo P. Piandong Jr.

HAZARDOUS WASTE
What is a Hazardous Waste?
The hazardous waste management program uses the term solid waste to denote something that is
a waste. EPA developed hazardous waste regulations that define in more detail what materials
are solid waste for the purposes of RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste) regulation.
Simply defined, a hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it dangerous or capable
of having a harmful effect on human health or the environment. Hazardous waste is generated
from many sources, ranging from industrial manufacturing process wastes to batteries and may
come in many forms, including liquids, solids gases, and sludges.
EPA developed a regulatory definition and process that identifies specific substances known to
be hazardous and provides objective criteria for including other materials in the regulated
hazardous waste universe. This identification process can be very complex, so EPA encourages
generators of wastes to approach the issue using the series of questions described below:
.
In order for a material to be classified as a hazardous waste, it must first be a solid waste.
Therefore, the first step in the hazardous waste identification process is determining if a material
is a solid waste.
The second step in this process examines whether or not the waste is specifically excluded from
regulation as a solid or hazardous waste.
Once a generator determines that their waste meets the definition of a solid waste, they
investigate whether or not the waste is a listed or characteristic hazardous waste. Finally, it is
important to note that some facilities petitioned EPA to delist their wastes from RCRA Subtitle C
regulation
EPA’s Cradle-to-Grave Hazardous Waste Management Program
State regulatory requirements for generators may be more stringent than those in the federal
program.
In the mid-twentieth century, solid waste management issues rose to new heights of public
concern in many areas of the United States because of increasing solid waste generation,
shrinking disposal capacity, rising disposal costs, and public opposition to the sitting of new
disposal facilities. These solid waste management challenges continue today, as many
communities are struggling to develop cost-effective, environmentally protective solutions. The
growing amount of waste generated has made it increasingly important for solid waste
management officials to develop strategies to manage wastes safely and cost effectively.
RCRA set up a framework for the proper management of hazardous waste. From this authority,
EPA established a comprehensive regulatory program to ensure that hazardous waste is managed
safely from "cradle to grave" meaning from the time it is created, while it is transported, treated,
and stored, and until it is disposed:
Hazardous Waste Generation
Under RCRA, hazardous waste generators are the first link in the hazardous waste management
system. All generators must determine if their waste is hazardous and must oversee the ultimate
fate of the waste. Furthermore, generators must ensure and fully document that the hazardous
waste that they produce is properly identified, managed, and treated prior to recycling or
disposal. The degree of regulation that applies to each generator depends on the amount of waste
that a generator produces.
Hazardous Waste Transportation
After generators produce a hazardous waste, transporters may move the waste to a facility that
can recycle, treat, store or dispose of the waste. Since such transporters are moving regulated
wastes on public roads, highways, rails and waterways, United States Department of
Transportation hazardous materials regulations, as well as EPA's hazardous waste regulations,
apply.
Hazardous Waste Recycling, Treatment, Storage and Disposal
To the extent possible, EPA tried to develop hazardous waste regulations that balance the
conservation of resources, while ensuring the protection of human health and environment. Many
hazardous wastes can be recycled safely and effectively, while other wastes will be treated and
disposed of in landfills or incinerators.
Recycling hazardous waste has a variety of benefits including reducing the consumption of raw
materials and the volume of waste materials that must be treated and disposed. However,
improper storage of those materials might cause spills, leaks, fires, and contamination of soil and
drinking water. To encourage hazardous waste recycling while protecting health and the
environment, EPA developed regulations to ensure recycling would be performed in a safe
manner.
Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) provide temporary storage and final
treatment or disposal for hazardous wastes. Since they manage large volumes of waste and
conduct activities that may present a higher degree of risk, TSDFs are stringently regulated. The
TSDF requirements establish generic facility management standards, specific provisions
governing hazardous waste management units and additional precautions designed to protect
soil, ground water and air resources.

Hazardous Waste

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Hazardous Waste

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Republic of the Philippines

UniversityofS outheasternP hilippines

Felicisimo P. Piandong Jr.

EPA’s Cradle-to-Grave Hazardous Waste Management Program

Hazardous Waste Transportation

Hazardous Waste Recycling, Treatment, Storage and Disposal

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