Friday, March 31, 2017

Understanding The Challenges Of Universal Waste Maimi Dade Florida Officials Face

By Kimberly Fisher


People seem to be more aware than they used to be of the impact all kinds of trash has on the environment. Many individuals recycle everything they can and try to be good citizens of the planet. The Environmental Protection Agency deals with the issues that threaten our ability to inhabit the earth. Things like clean air and water and the materials that impact them are their top priority. In order to appreciate the problem of universal waste Maimi Dade and other metropolitan areas around the country face, you must first understand what it is.

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.

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.

These materials cannot just be taken to the local landfill and dropped off either. The land disposal restrictions program governs how these items must be handled when they are deposited on or in the ground. The EPA wants to ensure that drinking water is not compromised and toxic materials do not pose a threat to the general population.

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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