Proper waste management is an essential part of society’s public and environmental health. Hazardous waste, if handled improperly, can cause substantial harm to the environment as well as to the human health.

The management of hazardous waste is high on the environmental agenda- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires organizations to comply with the hazardous waste management regulations and imposes high penalties for improper handling of hazardous waste.

According to recent news “Apple has agreed to pay $450,000 to settle allegations of hazardous waste violations at facilities in Silicon Valley. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)’ said Apple also agreed to increase facility inspections at its Cupertino and Sunnyvale plants. Apple processed about 1.1 million pounds of e-waste at the Cupertino facility before closing it in January 2013, and shifting operations to a facility in Sunnyvale. At the new facility, it shredded and disposed of more than 800,000 pounds of electronic waste before notifying DTSC of the plant’s existence and complying with regulations, according to the state. The regulators also allege Apple mishandled metal dust from shredder operations. The dust is classified as a hazardous waste due to the concentration of metals.”

Also, “Comcast recently settled with the state of California — to the tune of $25.95 million — as a result of its “careless and unlawful” hazardous waste disposal practices, which state regulators said put people and the environment at risk. Previously the state reached a $23.8 million settlement with AT&T over similar waste disposal violations.”

These settlements illustrate the significance of having a robust hazardous waste management system. Poor Waste Management and lack of compliance not only poses environmental challenges but it also results in legal, financial and reputational risks for the organizations.

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