Liquid Waste Management: What Businesses Need to Know
If your business generates liquid waste, knowing how to dispose of it properly is not always straightforward. Different types of liquid waste can have different handling requirements, and pouring the wrong material down a drain or placing it in a general waste bin can create environmental, safety and compliance problems.
For businesses looking for liquid waste disposal in Adelaide, it is important to understand what you are dealing with and how it needs to be handled. The right collection arrangements can then be put in place to ensure the waste is managed appropriately.
Identify The Waste and Its Disposal Requirements
Liquid waste can come from many business activities, including workshops, food businesses, manufacturing, cleaning and equipment maintenance. What it contains will depend on where and how it was produced, so the first step is to establish what you are dealing with.
Consider what the liquid contains, where it came from and approximately how much you have. Oils, chemicals, contaminated water and other types of liquid waste may need to be handled differently.
Some wastewater may be suitable for discharge through an authorised trade waste arrangement, while other material may need to be collected and transported elsewhere. SA Water requires authorisation before trade waste can be discharged into the sewer, and non-domestic liquid waste that is not suitable for sewer discharge may be managed as liquid hauled waste.
If you are unsure what you have or how it should be handled, seek advice before disposing of it.
Keep Liquid Waste Out of Drains and General Waste
A liquid may look harmless, but that does not mean it can be poured down a sink or stormwater drain. Unauthorised trade waste discharge can damage sewer infrastructure, create environmental risks and result in penalties.
Liquid waste should also not be placed in a general waste bin unless you know it is suitable for that waste stream. Leaks and spills can create problems for anyone handling the material and may result in it being disposed of incorrectly.
Arrange Collection That Suits Your Business
Once you know how the material needs to be handled, arrange a collection service suited to the type and amount your business produces.
Some businesses may only need a one-off collection, while others generate liquid waste regularly and may benefit from a scheduled service. Planning collections in advance can make it easier to avoid having waste build up on your premises.
The Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre provides commercial waste services, including liquid waste collection and disposal.
Choose A Provider with the Right Knowledge
Choosing a professional provider is an important part of responsible liquid waste management. It is not simply a matter of having someone remove the material from your premises. You also need to know that it is being managed and disposed of through an appropriate process.
When arranging a service, explain what the waste is, where it comes from and approximately how much you generate. This gives the provider a better understanding of your requirements and helps determine the most suitable collection service.
A knowledgeable provider can also be useful if your business has started producing a new type of liquid waste or you are unsure about the correct disposal method.
Store And Separate Waste Until Collection
While waiting for collection, liquid waste should be kept in secure containers that help prevent leaks and spills. It should also be kept away from other waste where necessary.
Keeping different waste types separate can help ensure that each one goes through the correct disposal process.
If you regularly generate liquid waste, consider where it is stored, how much can accumulate and when collection should be arranged. This can help prevent waste from building up on your premises.
Make Liquid Waste Part of Your Waste Planning
For businesses that regularly generate commercial liquid waste, disposal should be part of normal waste planning rather than something addressed only when a problem arises.
A straightforward plan can cover what types of liquid waste your business produces, how they should be stored, whether any authorisations are required and who will collect them. Keeping basic records of the types and quantities generated can also make it easier to explain your needs to a waste provider.
Having an established process can make day-to-day waste management more predictable and reduce the risk of disposing of waste incorrectly.
Manage Liquid Waste with Confidence
If your business is unsure how a particular liquid waste should be handled, it is better to check than to make assumptions. The correct approach will depend on the material involved and the requirements that apply to its disposal.
Using suitable storage, arranging collection when needed and working with a provider that has experience handling this type of waste can help your business handle the process responsibly.
Discuss Your Liquid Waste Requirements
The Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre can assist businesses with commercial waste requirements, including liquid waste collection and disposal. If you have liquid waste that needs to be removed, provide us with details about what you have, where it comes from and how much needs to be collected.
Contact us to find out how your liquid waste can be collected and disposed of correctly.
Adelaide Waste and Recycling Centre
Our friendly operators are available at the AWRC if you need to clarify any further information.