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In some states, the cost of hazardous waste disposal is very high. For example, in New York City, the cost of hazardous waste disposal is about $2 million per year. In other states, the cost of hazardous waste disposal may be much lower. For example, in Texas, the cost of hazardous waste disposal is only $0.50 per ton.

Classification of waste

The UNSD classification for transportation of dangerous materials is as follows:

  1. Class I: This is the most hazardous type of transportation, and it includes the transportation of any kind of hazardous material that could potentially cause serious injury or death.
  2. Class II: This type of transportation includes the transportation of any kind of hazardous material that could potentially cause minor injuries or damage, but it is still considered very dangerous.
  3. Class III: This type of transportation includes the transportation of any kind of hazardous material that could potentially cause serious injury or death, but it is no longer considered very dangerous.

Class 1: Explosive materials Class 3: Flammable materials Class 5: Oxidizing materials Class 6: Poisonous and infectious materials such as biomedical wastes from laboratories, hospitals, mortuaries, etc. Class 7: Radioactive materials Class 8: Corrosive material. Class 9: Toxic (delayed or chronic). ..

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a system of classifying hazardous wastes. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a regulatory law passed for monitoring resources and waste management specifically hazardous waste in this case. The EPA has a list of hundreds of waste materials that have been ascertained to be hazardous or harmful to the biological environment.

Waste disposal

Waste management is an increasingly important issue, especially in current times of climate change and global pandemics. Waste disposal is one of the last stages or methods of waste management which is the focus of this article. Without a system for waste management, environmental policies are ineffective. ..

Forms of waste disposal

The oldest way to dispose of waste is incineration. It is a controlled complete combustion of harmful waste, which produces water gas, producer gas, and ash. The effluents may be toxic and are treated by professionals before it is released into the environment. This method can be cost-intensive and is usually employed by big multinational companies. Underground injection is another disposal method for hazardous waste. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Class IV wells are for the treatment of drinking water that has been contaminated with hazardous and radioactive liquid wastes. Operations of such wells require strict licenses and as such obtaining such services would imply huge monetary investments. Landfill is one of the cheapest means to dispose of hazardous waste. Here, the waste is buried deep into the ground at a location that is far from residential areas and far from water bodies, and away from water pathways. This is done for waste that can no longer be recycled or would be economically unfeasible to treat. ..

The various disposal methods have different costs associated with them. ..

The cost of landfills: Considering tipping fees, grade surveying, excavation fees, lining costs, leachate systems, and the cost of installing a groundwater monitor system, etc., this method is economically feasible for large and bulky wastes like asphalt and radioactive materials. Also, a substantial amount of money is incurred, during the obtaining of several government and agency approvals. The cost of incineration: some sources give this cost to be between $1.75 and $1.90 per ton making it to be significantly higher than the cost of landfills. However, this method ensures that the problem of leakage and contamination in the future is eliminated. Also, viable lands are left available for other profitable uses instead of being occupied with hazardous materials. The effluents from this method can be channeled as fuel gases for industrial purposes. The cost of recycling: this is even a higher cost incurring method. Sources give that it ranges from about $50 to $150 per ton. That is the reason that it is still not a popular method even though it is touted as one of the most eco-friendly methods of waste disposal. Also, current technology cannot guarantee the quality of recycled products for specific uses. An example would be recycled hydrocarbons bags used to store delicate medical supplies, food products, and some light and pressure-sensitive drugs. ..

Conclusion

As the population of man and his technology continues to grow, it is important to consider the short-term and long-term effects of accumulating harmful substances on the earth. Also, cheaper and more effective ways of disposing of waste should be developed.

When it comes to waste disposal, cost-effectiveness and environmental implications must be considered in equal measure. In some cases, this may mean consulting with regulatory bodies that are specifically concerned with the type of waste being disposed of. A professional environmental engineer can help you out in this regard.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a process for handling hazardous material. Whenever there is suspicion that something hazardous is present, it is important to always consult a certified professional.

In some cases, the local regulatory body has a registry of the contacts of professionals who can help with waste disposal. This could include people who are experienced in waste management or who have access to specialized equipment.

The dangers of hazardous waste are well-known, but many people do not take the necessary precautions to reduce the amount of waste produced. All of the aforementioned should be taken into account when planning and implementing hazardous waste management plans.