Your Guide to Small Business Waste Disposal

Does your small business comply with EPA disposal regulations? If not, keep reading to better understand the process of small business waste disposal and how to comply with relevant standards.

Notable Small Business Waste Disposal Regulations

All businesses must follow specific disposal regulations when getting rid of waste. These guidelines are in place to make sure specific types of waste, like hazardous chemicals or materials, don’t harm the environment. 

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines for small business waste management vary by industry, but these are practices that apply to any small business:

  1. You must identify all hazardous waste your company produces.
  2. You cannot store more than 2,200 pounds of hazardous waste onsite.
  3. You must ensure hazardous waste delivery to an offsite treatment or disposal facility is completed.
  4. If you produce between 220 to 2,220 pounds of waste, you must obtain and use an EPA identification number.
  5. Mark all waste containers with a “hazardous waste” label and the date the waste was generated.
  6. Use containers made of or lined with a material compatible with hazardous waste.
  7. Keep containers holding waste closed during storage. 
  8. Store containers in a way that won’t rupture them or cause them to leak.
  9. Inspect containers weekly for leaks and deterioration.
  10. Don’t mix incompatible wastes in the same container.
  11. Have an emergency plan in place for accidents or spills.
  12. Send waste to your disposer in the Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved shipping.

For more in-depth information and detailed guidelines, visit the EPA’s website. 

Now that you understand some of the basic small business waste disposal guidelines, you might have a few questions: Am I meeting these guidelines? What can I do to stay compliant with EPA disposal regulations? Where can I find a waste disposal partner? Keep reading to find the answers to all of these questions.

Non-Hazardous Waste Disposal Program for Small Businesses

If you need non-hazardous waste disposal services compliant with EPA guidelines, partner with a waste disposal facility. These facilities specialize in properly getting rid of medical, hazardous, and chemical waste. 

There are several ways waste management businesses dispose of waste:

Minimal Liquid Discharge Program

Minimal liquid discharge is an eco-friendly small business waste disposal program. This process separates liquid waste from your materials (rags, towels, mats, PPE) so you can reuse your materials over and over again instead of purchasing new ones. The liquid waste is then recycled and repurposed, creating little to no waste!

Programs like these not only help the environment, but they also help your budget. As a small business, purchasing new cleaning supplies and PPE all the time can strain your budget. You don’t have to constantly buy new materials with this type of small business waste disposal. Instead, you can reuse the same ones multiple times.

Proper Containment/Storage for Hazardous Waste

Your outsourced waste facility provides storage drums made of materials compatible with hazardous waste. Some of the storage options include:

  • PPE distribution rack or drum: This is an open storage option for used PPE. A 55-gallon drum holds up to 800 pairs of gloves and comes with a locked lid for safety.
  • Standard drums: Standard storage drums are 55 gallons. Use them to store used absorbent materials like rags, towels, wipers, and mats.
  • S2 space saver drums: A space saver drum is ideal if your small business has a small warehouse. These drums are the same size as standard drums, but they come with adjustable metal shelving so that you can store them in tighter spaces.

To comply with EPA disposal regulations, your small business can’t simply throw away materials containing hazardous chemicals. When you partner with an outsourced waste facility, you aren’t just simplifying your business waste management—you’re also disposing of your waste in a safe way that complies with EPA guidelines.

PPE Laundering Services

If your small business uses PPE, like jackets, safety vests, aprons, sleeves, or gloves, PPE laundering services are an excellent option, because they save you money and reduce your impact on the environment.

Launderers extract the waste from your PPE so you can reuse it instead of throwing it away and buying more disposable PPE. The average cost of one pair of disposable gloves is $5, and many small businesses spend up to $4,000 a month on single-use gloves. With reusable, laundered gloves and other recycled PPE, you don’t have to repurchase your equipment constantly.

Who Can Help Me Meet Small Business Waste Disposal Regulations?

Closed Loop Recycling is the place for all materials containing liquid waste. At CLR, we:

  • Professionally extract waste from PPE and cleaning materials and send them directly back to you for reuse
  • Create custom schedules that suit the amount and type of waste your business produces
  • Provide high-quality storage containers for used materials

Partner with us to meet EPA disposal laws and regulations, create less waste, and save money.