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Hazardous waste removal and management in Florida is something every business in the Sunshine State that deals with hazardous substances needs to think about. If your Florida business generates hazardous waste, it’s vital for it to have a comprehensive plan that meets all national regulations as well as those set down by the state of Florida and local municipalities in terms of regulations for disposing of hazardous waste.
Ensuring that you have this plan is especially important if your business is based in Florida due to the state’s stringent laws and regulations covering the disposal of hazardous waste.
If your business does not have a plan for hazardous waste disposal or if you are not sure it complies with all relevant laws and regulations, enlisting the help of an experienced waste management service is crucial to the health of your organization. MCF is an industry leader and expert in hazardous waste management in Florida and can be the trusted partner you need to deliver peace of mind and security for your business, now and in the future.
01 / Creating a Hazardous Waste Florida Contingency Plan
What is a hazardous waste contingency plan and why does every business in Florida that handles hazardous waste need to create one? Find out more below.
02 / What is a Hazardous Waste contingency Plan?
A hazardous waste contingency plan sets out all of the steps your business will take should there be an accident involving hazardous material. This plan is meant to minimize harm to the environment and community in the event of a fire, explosion, or unplanned release of hazardous materials. Here you'll work out exactly what actions your business is prepared to take if an incident occurs along with documentation which details the training your employees will receive concerning these actions.
All businesses that generate hazardous waste are legally required to have a hazardous waste contingency plan regardless of their EPA generator status. Whether your Florida business is a very small, small, or large quantity generator or a shipper of hazardous waste, you are required to create a hazardous waste Florida contingency plan. In fact, hazardous waste generators in all states must have a contingency plan according to federal statutes.
Furthermore, large quantity generators must comply with additional requirements. For example, a large quantity generator must supply a copy of their contingency plan along with any revisions to all local emergency responders. Additionally, when they are first subject to this requirement or if they amend their plan, they must provide a quick reference guide of the plan to local emergency responders that contains specific required information.
03 / Is a Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan Important?
A hazardous waste contingency plan is very important as it makes certain specific steps are in place to protect personnel, customers, and the neighboring community in the event an accident occurs.
No matter how many precautions a business takes, an accident can happen, so it is essential to keep this plan up to date and ensure employees are familiar with the plan and ready to implement it. Also, in the case of large-quantity generators, it’s vital to make local emergency responders aware of any changes to your business’s hazardous waste contingency plan. It's worth noting that if your business fails to create a plan and comply with the requirements related to the plan, the business puts itself at risk for significant fines and penalties.
04 / How Do Florida’s Hazardous Waste Removal Requirements Differ?
Florida’s hazardous waste removal laws and regulations are much stricter than those of many other states. As an example, very small quantity generators in Florida are required to document their delivery of hazardous waste by having written receipts and other records and keep this documentation for three years, which federal statutes do not require.
The primary reason for these strict rules is the large amount of water bodies in Florida, along with its shallow water table. Any hazardous waste spill in Florida is much harder to deal with than in many other states and can potentially do considerably more damage. Because of these factors, Florida created very stringent laws and regulations to protect its environment.
This means it is easy to make a mistake in your Florida waste management that will result in a fine or penalty. Therefore, to protect your Florida-based business, it is vital to be familiar with and comply with any regulations associated with hazardous waste Florida contingency plans.
05 / An Experienced Hazardous Waste Management Company Is Key to Protecting Your Florida Business
It’s essential to remember that Florida’s hazardous waste laws differ from federal laws. So, if your Florida-based business generates or handles hazardous waste, you need to ensure you are aware of all of the regional regulations concerning hazardous waste removal in Florida.
Covering all of the intricacies and complexities surrounding these requirements can take a significant amount of time and expertise. Rather than leaving your business open to potential fines and litigation, enjoy the confidence of full compliance with the guidance of a waste management partner who will help protect you through every step of the process. Leaning on the trusted guidance of an industry leader in Florida's hazardous waste regulations will allow you to comply with confidence and safeguard your business in the process.
MCF Environmental brings a thorough knowledge of all federal and state regulations to every project, with the insight of how they apply to your specific situation. MCF helps businesses throughout Florida craft comprehensive hazardous waste contingency plans, so they can be both compliant and prepared.
If you would like more information about how to create a compliant hazardous waste contingency plan for your Florida-based business, contact a hazardous waste expert at MCF Environmental Services and take the stress out of your hazardous waste preparation and management.
Robert Losurdo
President, COO
