Friday, April 7, 2017

Understanding The Problem Of Universal Waste Maimi Dade Florida Faces

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.

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.

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.

States have to comply with federal laws, but they can add items to the list of hazardous materials that require special handling and disposal. Pharmaceuticals are on the Florida list. New Hampshire and Louisiana have added antifreeze. California and Colorado consider aerosol cans hazardous material. If you are interested in finding out about your state, you can go to their website or the EPA's.

It should not be surprising that there are strict guidelines regarding the transportation of these materials. Whether they are being moved by air, water, rail, or roadway, anyone transporting them must be familiar with the laws and follow them to the letter. Even private citizens are asked about packages they send through the postal service or by private carriers. Regulations include the trucks that pick up recycled trash and transport it to a center.

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.

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.

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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