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,“ very small quantity generators” are currently deemed by regulation to have a license for the transportation of the hazardous waste that they generate.
“ Very small quantity generators” generate less than 220 pounds( 100kg) of hazardous waste in any calendar month.“ Very small quantity 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.
4 PDA Waste Management Guidelines