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Hazardous Materials and Waste

What Is Hazardous Material?

A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) which has the

potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through

interaction with other factors. Hazardous materials professionals are responsible for and

properly qualified to manage such materials. This includes managing and/or advising other

managers on such items at any point in their life-cycle, from process planning and development

of new products; through manufacture, distribution and use; to disposal, cleanup and

remediation.

Hazardous wastes

These are byproducts left by hazardous materials used in almost every modern manufacturing

and industrial process. A familiar example is the dry cleaner who uses chemicals that break down

through use and must be shipped to special landfills. Putting the color in paints and fabrics also

generates waste that is often harmful. Even computer chips have to be washed in toxic solvents

that cannot be completely recycled. Many of these things we use daily could not be

manufactured without leaving a hazardous waste by-product.

Other examples of hazardous waste

Asbestos, Batteries, Brake fluid, Cleaning chemicals and solvents, Fluorescent light bulbs.

Non-edible oils (such as motor oil), Pesticides, Printer toner

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Types of hazardous waste

There are four main types of hazardous waste. Splitting them into these categories makes it

easier to store and dispose of such waste in an appropriate manner. The different hazardous

waste types are:

• Universal waste – common household and workplace waste with hazardous properties.

• Mixed waste – waste containing hazardous or radioactive components.

• Chemical waste – hazardous waste that was in contact with or contains any chemicals.

• Listed waste – waste products from the manufacturing or industrial processes classed as

hazardous.

Characteristics of hazardous materials

A waste is considered hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:

• Ignitability

Ignitable wastes can create fires under certain conditions; examples include liquids, such

as solvents, that readily catch fire, and friction-sensitive substances.

• Corrosivity

Corrosive wastes include those that are acidic and those that are capable of corroding

metal (such as tanks, containers, drums, and barrels).

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• Reactivity

Reactive wastes are unstable under normal conditions. They can create explosions, toxic

fumes, gases, or vapors when mixed with water.

• Toxicity

Toxic wastes are harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed. When they are disposed of

on land, contaminated liquid may drain (leach) from the waste and pollute groundwater.

Hazardous wastes may arise as by-products of industrial processes. They may also be generated

by households when commercial products are discarded. These include drain openers, oven

cleaners, wood and metal cleaners and polishes, pharmaceuticals, oil and fuel additives, grease

and rust solvents, herbicides and pesticides, and paint thinners.

Disposal of Hazardous Waste Types

Business owners have a legal responsibility to appropriately handle, store, and dispose of all

types of hazardous waste produced on their premises or as part of the daily running of their

organisation. It’s a criminal offence for hazardous waste to be mixed with general waste, so

following proper disposal steps is essential.

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Waste should be:

• Identified correctly and labelled.

• Stored securely before collection.

• Collected by a licensed waste carrier.

• Disposed of appropriately and in a way that has a minimal impact upon the environment.

To dispose of any type of hazardous waste you need to store it in appropriate bins, bags, or

containers on your premises. Then arrange collection to be transported to an appropriate

business/ area for disposal.

Cost elements of manufacturing cost when using hazardous materials:

• Procurement: the actual purchase price of the hazardous materials plus the cost of

transportation to the site of use, whether it be a manufacturing site, depot or operating

location.

• Transportation: the cost of transporting the hazardous materials from one location to

another at the point of use.

• Personal protective equipment: the cost of the equipment, the cost of dispensing the

equipment, the cost of maintenance and support of the equipment and the cost of

inefficiency as a result of wearing the equipment.

• Management: the cost of maintaining an oversight of the hazardous materials used in

manufacturing or maintenance.
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• Training: the cost of training personnel in the proper handling, use, clean-up and

disposal of hazardous materials associated with the process.

• Handling: the cost of subdividing, labeling, distribution and mixing of the materials used

in a process.

• Potential legal environmental liability: the cost is directly related to the amount of

hazardous waste disposed. It considers the provisions for violating regulations

Environmental Protection Agency and remediation costs of releases.

• Medical costs: this cost includes occupational physical examinations, including lost time

while the physical is administered; medical surveillance and cost associated with lost

time due to illness as a result of hazardous materials.

• Facility costs: this accounts for the cost of constructing and maintaining facilities

especially for storage of hazardous materials and hazardous waste.

• Support equipment: this item covers the cost of support equipment used to handle

hazardous materials and hazardous waste including sensing devices and laboratory

equipment.

• Emergency response costs: this accounts for the cost of emergency personnel and

equipment used in response to hazardous materials and hazardous waste accidents,

incidents and spills.

• Waste disposal costs: this encompasses the cost to operate an Industrial Wastewater

Treatment Plant, where applicable; waste collection and handling; contractor disposal;

and hazardous waste analysis and classification.