A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Waste Disposal Management

A Comprehensive Guide to Proper Waste Disposal Management

Last Updated on August 7, 2022 by Ossian Muscad

Waste disposal management is one of the most important aspects of environmental law compliance. Businesses that don’t comply with waste disposal regulations can face steep fines and penalties. As a business owner, dealing with waste disposal can be daunting. But with the right knowledge and tools, you can develop an effective waste management system for your business.

This comprehensive guide will discuss everything you need to know about waste disposal management. We’ll cover waste disposal methods, best practices to reduce waste, waste audits, and additional tools to help your business stay in compliance with environmental laws.

 

What is a Waste Management System?

A waste management system is a strategy most organizations use to collect, process, and dispose of waste materials. An effective waste management system can help businesses reduce waste, save money on waste disposal costs, and improve environmental compliance.

Waste management systems usually involve four steps: waste collection, waste transportation, waste processing, and waste disposal. How these steps are carried out will depend on the type of waste being managed and the method of waste disposal chosen.

 

Waste Disposal Methods

Many different waste disposal methods are available, and choosing the right method will depend on the type of waste being managed. Common waste disposal methods include composting, recycling, landfills, incineration, waste to energy, waste minimization, and bioremediation. 

These methods can be used individually or in combination to create an effective waste management system.

  • Composting: This waste disposal method involves breaking down organic waste material into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Composting is often used for food waste, yard waste, and other organic waste materials. 
  • Recycling: Recycling waste materials helps to conserve resources and reduce pollution. Common recyclable materials include glass, paper, plastic, metal, and electronics. 
  • Landfills: Landfills are the most common waste disposal method in the United States. They are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and must meet certain standards to be operational. 
  • Incineration: Incineration is a waste disposal method that involves burning waste material to generate heat or electricity. 
  • Waste to Energy: Waste to energy (WTE) facilities use waste material to generate electricity or power. 
  • Waste Minimization: Waste minimization is a waste management strategy that seeks to reduce the amount of waste generated. 
  • Bioremediation: Bioremediation is a waste disposal method that uses living organisms to break down or remove waste material. 

 

Waste Disposal Management Approaches and Best Practices

Proper waste disposal management can be carried out through a waste audit. This type of audit involves assessing an organization’s waste management system. Through a waste audit, companies can analyze waste movement from generation to disposal.

Some common approaches for conducting waste audits include facility walk-throughs, waste sort, and records examination. They are then broken down into three tiers:

The first approach involves looking at waste disposal and hauling records and existing contracts with recycling facilities.

The second approach requires a team of internal auditors to observe and interview employees. They will then assess their findings to identify potential waste-generating activities in the workplace.

The third approach involves the physical collection, sorting, and weighing of an organization’s waste. This waste sample can be a day’s worth or a collection from each department.

Some common best practices for waste management include:

  • Establishing waste reduction goals and objectives
  • Educating employees about waste reduction practices
  • Evaluating waste management practices and procedures regularly
  • Implementing waste management policies and procedures
  • Monitoring waste disposal activities
  • Conducting waste audits

 

What is a Waste Audit Checklist?

It is important to have a plan to manage waste effectively. This plan should address how waste will be generated, stored, collected, transported, and disposed of. In addition, a waste audit checklist can help to ensure that all aspects of waste management are considered.

A waste audit checklist can compare findings to previous waste audit results. This will help to identify any areas where waste management practices can be improved. The checklist should also include a review of waste disposal contracts and facilities.

 

Waste Audit Template

For a successful waste audit, use this simple template to document your organization’s waste audit results:

  • Examine the existing waste management system by gathering details on current operations.
  • Learn the actual cost of analyzing waste collection bills.
  • Sort waste by categorizing different waste types such as plastic, paper, steel, aluminum, and glass.
  • Record the estimated percentage of the waste stream.
  • Add photos for future reference as evidence.

 

How to Create a Waste Management Plan?

A waste management plan is a written document that details how an organization will manage its waste. The plan should address all aspects of waste management, from waste generation to disposal.

 

Assess the Current Waste Management System

The first step in creating a waste management plan is to assess the current waste management system. This assessment should include a review of waste disposal contracts and facilities. It should also include a waste audit.

 

Identify Waste Reduction Goals and Objectives

After the current waste management system has been assessed, it is important to identify waste reduction goals and objectives. These goals and objectives will serve as a guide for developing the waste management plan.

 

Educate Employees about Waste Reduction Practices

Once the waste reduction goals and objectives have been established, it is important to educate employees about waste reduction practices. In addition, employees should be provided with information on how to reduce workplace waste.

 

Evaluate Waste Management Practices and Procedures Regularly

It is important to evaluate waste management practices and procedures regularly. This evaluation will help to identify any areas where waste management practices can be improved.

 

Implement Waste Management Policies and Procedures

After the waste management plan has been developed, it is important to implement waste management policies and procedures. All employees should follow these policies and procedures.

 

Monitor Waste Disposal Activities

It is important to monitor waste disposal activities. This monitoring will help to ensure that waste is being disposed of properly.

 

Conduct Waste Audits

Waste audits should be conducted regularly. These audits will help to identify any areas where waste management practices can be improved.

 

Additional Resources

Additional resources can be used to help with waste management. These resources include waste disposal contracts, waste management facilities, and waste reduction programs.

 

Create a Waste Management Plan with the DataMyte Digital Clipboard

The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is DATAMYTE’s workflow automation software. With it, you can create a comprehensive waste management plan detailing the strategies you will take to manage waste in your facility. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard can also be used to track waste disposal activities and waste audits.

Our intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes creating workflows, checklists, forms, and other relevant tools easier and faster. Plus, you will have all the tools and features you need to create a waste management plan to help your business meet its waste reduction goals.

To learn more about how DATAMYTE can help you with waste management, contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and provide you with a demo of our software.

 

Conclusion

By following these waste management tips, you can ensure that your organization properly disposes of waste. These tips will also help reduce the amount of waste your organization generates. Use all of the knowledge that you learned to create a waste disposal management plan that will work for your business. 

 

 

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