If your business generates liquid waste, it’s important to understand how it should be handled. Different types of liquid waste can require different approaches, and how waste is managed can affect workplace safety, environmental risks and your regulatory responsibilities. Understanding what you are generating and how it should be managed can help you make appropriate arrangements.
Summerland Environmental can help businesses understand their liquid waste requirements and arrange appropriate collection, transport, treatment and disposal.
Start by identifying what you are dealing with. The type of waste you produce will depend on your operations, so it is important to understand what it contains and where it comes from before deciding how it should be managed. Its characteristics will determine how it should be handled and what requirements may apply to its collection, treatment and disposal.
Think about what the material contains, where it is generated, how much you produce and whether different waste streams are being mixed. Keeping different waste streams separate where practical can make subsequent treatment or recovery easier.
If you’re unsure how a particular waste should be classified or managed, get advice before arranging its removal.
Liquid waste should be stored in a way that reduces the risk of leaks, spills and accidental discharge. Storage needs to match the type and amount of material you are holding.
Containers, tanks and other storage areas should be appropriate for their contents and kept in good condition. You should also have measures in place to contain and clean up spills if they occur.
Hazardous liquids require particular care. NSW EPA requirements can apply to the storage and management of liquid and hazardous waste, so make sure your arrangements are suitable for the material you generate.
Don’t wait until a tank or storage area is nearly full before arranging collection. Consider how quickly waste builds up, how much capacity you have and what could happen if a pickup is delayed.
Regular collection can help prevent overflows and avoid interruptions to your business. Set the collection frequency based on how much waste you generate and how much storage space you have.
Once the waste is ready to leave your premises, it needs to be collected and transported in a way that suits the waste you have generated. This becomes especially important if the waste is hazardous or subject to waste tracking requirements.
Certain hazardous and liquid wastes must be tracked during transport, with obligations applying to the waste producer, transporter and receiving facility. Depending on the material, this can involve documentation, consignment requirements and other controls.
For businesses, using a provider with the right equipment, experience and authorisations can make this process easier. Summerland Environmental provides collection, transportation and processing for commercial and industrial liquid waste.
Depending on the waste, treatment may be required before it can be accepted at a receiving facility, sent for recovery or otherwise disposed of. Treatment requirements will depend on what the liquid contains and what needs to happen to it next.
Treatment may involve more than simply removing visible contaminants. The characteristics of the waste, its intended destination and any requirements that apply to that waste stream can all affect what needs to happen before disposal.
For this reason, don’t assume a liquid is suitable for discharge or disposal simply because it appears harmless. If you’re unsure whether treatment is required, speak to your waste provider before arranging collection.
Your liquid waste needs may change as your business grows or its operations change. New equipment, increased production, different cleaning processes or changes to your premises can all affect the type and amount of material you generate.
Review your arrangements when your business changes to make sure they still suit your operations and the type and amount of waste you generate. You may also find opportunities to reduce what you produce or recover more materials.
Summerland Environmental provides commercial and industrial liquid waste services in areas including Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and the Tweed.
The goal is to have a clear plan for each type of liquid waste your business produces. Planning ahead can reduce environmental risks, avoid storage problems and make your waste arrangements easier to manage.
Summerland Environmental provides liquid waste collection, processing and related industrial services for businesses across Northern NSW. If you’re unsure how your waste should be handled or where it should go, our team can discuss your situation and help determine the right service for your needs.
Contact Summerland Environmental to discuss your liquid waste requirements.