Pennsylvania ’ s Solid Waste Management Act puts solid waste into one of three categories :
• Municipal Waste - generated by households and commercial or institutional establishments ; “ ordinary garbage ”
• Residual Waste - generated from industrial , mining or agricultural operations ( provided the waste is not hazardous )
• Hazardous Waste - waste that can cause injury or death , or pose a threat to the environment ( land , air or water )
Dental office waste typically will be classified as municipal waste or hazardous waste . Dental offices also generate regulated medical waste ( formerly known as infectious waste ), which is a type of municipal waste that is regulated as “ special handling ” waste . In addition , dental offices may discharge chemicals or metals in wastewater . Due to the possible regulatory issues and liability associated with these various types of wastes it is advisable to :
• reduce the quantity of waste generated
• recycle materials to the extent possible
• properly dispose of your waste only at licensed facilities
Hazardous Waste
Federal and state hazardous waste regulations are usually enforced at the state level . Waste is determined to be hazardous if it is listed on one of EPA ’ s four lists found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations ( CFR ) in section 261 , or if it displays one or more of the following four characteristics ( determined by testing , referred to as a “ hazardous waste determination ”):
• Ignitability – easily combustible or flammable
• Corrosivity – high or low pH , dissolves metals or other materials , or burns the skin
• Reactivity – undergoes a violent chemical reaction with water or other materials
• Toxicity – harmful when ingested , inhaled or absorbed ; includes heavy metals and certain organic compounds
Hazardous waste must be transported by a licensed transporter and disposed of at an approved facility . However , “ conditionally exempt small quantity hazardous waste generators ” are currently deemed by regulation to have a license for the transportation of the conditionally exempt wastes that they generate .
“ Conditionally exempt small quantity hazardous waste generators ” generate less than 220 pounds ( 100 kg ) of hazardous waste in any calendar month . Exempt generators must comply with the following federal regulations :
• Identify all hazardous wastes generated
• May not accumulate more than 2,200 pounds ( 1,000 kg ) of hazardous waste on site at any time
• Ensure that hazardous waste is recycled or disposed of at a state approved-facility
Note : State regulations provide that this waste may not be disposed of in a municipal or residual waste landfill in Pennsylvania .
3 PDA Waste Management Guidelines