Waste containers come in a variety of materials, and some are simply incompatible with certain waste types. For example, corrosive waste can’t go into a metal drum or container. It can eat through that metal and cause minor or severe leaking. Plastic containers are the safer, more suitable option for anything corrosive. Similarly, flammable waste is best contained to steel drums or pails. Whether you’re dealing with hazardous materials or non-hazardous waste, you must use a UN-rated container. You’ll know it’s UN rated because it will have the specific UN number on the bottom. If you choose the incorrect container, and it leaks or has a massive structural collapse, you are absolutely liable to pay for any damages or cleanup associated with that spill. It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t leaking when it went on the truck; it doesn’t matter if you didn’t realize you couldn’t use that type of container; the liability rests with you.
