Aspects Of Hazardous Waste Disposal Edmonton Residents Must Know

By Mattie Knight


There are many types of industrial and domestic hazardous waste that we have to handle on an everyday basis. Some of the most commonly encountered is automotive waste which includes car batteries, motor oil, gas and rust remover among others. Chemicals and cleaners within households include pesticides, bleaches and photo chemicals. Others types of waste products include needles and syringes, paints, aerosols and light bulbs. Concerning hazardous waste disposal Edmonton residents need to know a number of things.

Waste is regarded as being hazardous in a number of situations. It may be reactive, explosive, toxic, corrosive or flammable. If a product has any of these properties then the same will be displayed in form of a label so as to warn the user to be cautious. It is important to go through all the instructions before getting rid of any of these substances.

The disposal of these products presents a major challenge to many people. While it is possible to get rid of a number of them by yourself, there are many others that require the assistance of a professional. The substances may either harm the user or the environment. You will be well advised to read the instructions from the manufacturer to establish whether or not you are in a position to do it yourself.

One of the precautions that you should take is to ensure that each substance is placed in a separate container preferably the original. Mixing is likely to cause confusion to the person that will eventually get rid of them. Of more concern is that there is a high risk of reactions setting in when different chemicals come into contact.

Wear personal protective equipment when handling the substances. Some of the must-have equipment are a pair of rubber gloves, an apron and safety glasses. You must also make sure that your arms and legs are fully covered. Wash yourself with plenty of water to get rid of any residual chemicals.

If you do not have the original container, choose any other that is made of glass. Avoid metal and plastic as these may react with the chemicals that you are transporting. The container should have a tight seal and should not be leaking. This is very important especially if you plan to transport the chemicals to a different site.

There are several companies that can help with the disposal. Each company has different guidelines to guide the process and one needs to contact them to know about the exact procedure that is involved. As a general rule, one is not allowed to mix different types of substances. Mixing the hazardous materials with commercial waste is not allowed. If any of the substances that you deliver is mixed with what would be considered illegal then it will be rejected.

What you should always remember is to ask for help whenever you are in doubt about handling any hazardous substances. You can do this by contacting the manufacturer or a professional in the business. If you accidentally come into contact with these substances, seek immediate medical attention.




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