Industrial processes are always accompanied by waste, whether scrap metal, chemicals, general waste, or other potentially harmful materials. These create several disposal and handling issues for many companies.
Improper industrial waste management can have disastrous consequences for the environment. It can also risk your business’s reputation due to monetary penalties and negative press. Therefore, properly managing your industrial waste is needed to keep your brand intact and free from unnecessary issues.
What Is Industrial Waste?
Industrial waste refers to any unwanted or leftover materials from industrial processes. This includes several types:
Industrial Solid Waste
The garbage generated by businesses from industrial or manufacturing processes and non-manufacturing activities is considered industrial solid waste. These should be separate from regular office waste; thus, they require special handling.
Non-Hazardous Waste
Many industrial residues are deemed non-hazardous but could still harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Some examples include ash, sludge, grinding dust, and liquids with non-hazardous chemicals.
Hazardous Waste
This type of waste can harm people, animals, and the environment. If not managed, these can poison rivers, lakes, and other waterways, inflicting extensive harm to the surrounding ecosystem. Typically, these materials are byproducts of processes in factories, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities.
Proper Disposal of Industrial Waste
The majority of worldwide waste production comes from industrial processes. As such, proper waste disposal in these facilities will significantly help alleviate the present global waste issue.
Industrial waste management procedures must be incorporated in all companies to mitigate risks and ensure appropriate collection and disposal. Typically, trash can be sorted by type and sent to one of these three locations:
Segregation and Recycling Facilities
Much of the trash produced by your company’s manufacturing, transportation, and packing requirements is recyclable. Therefore, the first stage in developing an industrial waste management program is determining which items may be recycled and establishing appropriate containers or dumpsters to separate them.
Most recycling centers can recycle glass, paper, and plastic. Many can also deal with scrap metal, cardboard, and electronics recycling. These recyclables must be separated from hazardous, biodegradable, and non-hazardous solid waste.
Landfills
Only non-hazardous, non-recyclable, and non-compostable garbage should be disposed of in landfills. They are one of the most common ways of garbage disposal. Waste materials that arrive at landfills are contained to a limited area, compacted as needed, and then buried in the ground.
Compost Centers
Composting converts organic waste into fertilizer that may be used to improve soil quality for planting and growing. Most food waste, leaves, newspapers, small bits of cardboard, straw, and sawdust may all be composted. This is one of the most efficient methods of discarding organic and biodegradable trash.
Manage Your Industrial Waste With U.S. Waste Industries
Plan for the cost-effective, responsible, and safe disposal of industrial waste for your company! Whatever the industry and size of your operation, our team here at U.S Waste Industries can provide industrial waste services in a timely and effective way that positively contributes to the environment, your brand, and your operational efficiency.
Contact us today for inquiries!