Why Companies Need to to Properly Manage Waste
Hazardous waste management is a heavily regulated activity. Companies need to know the responsibilities and protocols to minimize liability from the production and disposal of hazardous waste. Protecting a brand name is important to all companies. Being associated with a negative environmental matter can cause unnecessary problems for a company.
If your company is involved with hazardous waste management, it is vital to understand these laws:
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was passed in 1976. This Act provided regulations for “cradle to grave” management of hazardous waste. The law established that it is the generator’s responsibility to ensure that their hazardous waste is being properly manifested, transported, and disposed or treated at a legally permitted waste facility. RCRA assigns strict liability to the generator of a hazardous waste when it comes to disposal of said waste. This means that a waste generator could be held financially liable for mismanagement of waste, regardless of their involvement or knowledge of mismanagement. Ignorance of the law is not a defense. Generators must properly track waste through the manifest system. This involves going to a permitted facility and making sure it is being properly managed with respect to the natural environment.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) provides a federal “Superfund” to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. CERCLA gives power to the government to seek out those parties responsible for any mishandling of hazardous waste or materials and assure their cooperation in the cleanup. If a waste management facility fails to pay to clean up environmental impacts associated with that facility, a company that sent “hazardous substances” to that facility (known as a potentially responsible party) can be held financially liable cleaning up. This article focuses on a lawsuit that was filed by a new property owner, to get the upstream generators to pay for proper disposal.
CyberCrunch can help make sure your company avoids any negative news and help the environment.
Contact CyberCrunch at 866-925-2354. We can provide safe and secure electronics recycling and data destruction solutions to ensure the safety of your sensitive information. With our extensive experience in the industry, regulations and governmental policies, this makes us an obvious choice.
