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WASTE & RECYCLING
Preparing for climate disasters While climate change is not a controllable phenomenon, hazardous waste facilities can prepare themselves for emergencies by developing clear, effective plans. By Jonathan Sharp, the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group in the US. This article is republished with kind permission from the Waste Advantage Magazine. Climate change is undeniable as a global phenomenon, occurring since 1800, when the Industrial Revolution was at its peak. It is taking place right before our eyes, and its effects — higher temperatures, extreme weather, rising sea levels, and warmer oceans — are visible, tangible, and measurable. The cause of climate change is primarily environmentally damaging human activity, such as burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, and using internal combustion engine vehicles as our main transportation mode. Besides taking a toll on the environment, climate change also wreaks havoc on the waste management industry. Numerous hazardous waste facilities are in low-lying coastal areas, vulnerable to damage from cyclones, flooding, and erosion. These weather phenomena are becoming more frequent due to climate change. The extreme weather caused by climate change can trigger industrial disasters such as explosions, fires, and major chemical releases that can affect both workers and nearby communities. Unfortunately, most hazardous waste facilities in the country are not prepared to handle a potential industrial disaster triggered by climate change. The regulations in this respect are very lax. Climate change is inevitable and will become more problematic for hazardous waste facilities, particularly for those susceptible to being struck by extreme weather such as cyclones and floods. However, while climate change is not a controllable phenomenon, hazardous waste facilities can prepare themselves for emergencies by developing clear, effective plans. How natural disasters triggered by climate change pose a risk to hazardous waste facilities and nearby communities Federal and state regulators have been significantly underestimating the real threat of unregulated tanks, while policymakers have been ignoring the promised benefits of thorough protections, such as those awaiting approval for decades for hazardous waste tanks. Full of hazardous chemicals, these tanks seem to be everywhere in our landscape — hidden in industrial parks, manufacturing facilities or towering along railways and waterfronts. Nevertheless, those located along coastal areas have the highest risk of being hit by a natural disaster caused by climate change, as their location increases their vulnerability. One of the most dangerous and costly mistakes hazardous waste facility managers can make is failing to secure the hazardous waste for the impact of natural disasters triggered by climate change. This is because climate change can impact hazardous waste facilities both directly and indirectly. For instance, improper waste management, such as waste blocking drainage, which exacerbates flooding during rainfall events, can reduce a city’s ability to deal with extreme weather events. Consequently, all waste management systems must be designed to be resilient to climate change. The following are some ways in which climate change can impact the collection, processing, and disposal steps taken by waste management systems: •
Sea level rises: It may cause narrower collection routes, increase the need for sorting and recycling to minimise storage needs, and deteriorate the impermeable lining;
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Flooding: It may block or make completely inaccessible the collection routes, increase the need for enclosed or covered sorting facilities, and increase leakage on dumpsites because of heavy rain;
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Extreme heat: It may increase foul odour and pest activity, overheat sorting equipment, and increase the risk of fire at disposal sites, particularly when drought is present as well;
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Powerful storms and wind: It may cause temporary flooding of and diminished access to roadways and ports for waste collection, the closure of the facility due to infrastructure damage, and reduced access to collection and landfill access routes due to damage and debris.
The correct waste management procedures for some of the most common hazardous substances According to federal law, chemical waste must have storage, containers, and labeling. All hazardous waste containers must be kept closed during storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove waste. Containers must be maintained in good condition, more specifically with no rust, dents, or leaks, and must be compatible with the hazardous waste they contain. As for labeling, both federal and state laws require labels to list the container’s contents. Subsequently, the label must be marked with a waste accumulation start date, generator name, room location, and container contents. There are some day-to-day items people use in offices, shops, and laboratories that contain hazardous components, so it is forbidden to throw these objects away in the “regular” rubbish. If handled adequately, most of these items can be recycled to help reduce the total cost of waste disposal. These items fall within the “universal/ special wastes” and contain the following substances.
Mercury Hazardous waste facilities must store mercury containers inside a larger container with a tight-fitting lid and place oil-absorbent matter around it to protect the container from breaking or sudden shocks. Numerous products, including thermometers, manometers, thermostats, and other pressure gauges, contain mercury, a very toxic heavy metal. These instruments and elemental mercury, which is mercury in its natural form, must be disposed of by contacting your local municipality or solid waste district if you are a small business or individual. Furthermore, some towns and solid waste districts hold hazardous waste collection days every year. Mercury poisoning can lead to symptoms such as headaches, kidney damage, and muscle weakness. It can be deadly, which is why it is recommended to handle mercury-containing products with the utmost care.
