Recycling Business Waste in Saint Petersburg Made Easy

Recycling Business Waste in Saint Petersburg Made Easy

It’s hard enough to figure out what to do with most of your garbage and junk. It’s even harder when that garbage isn’t just smelly or useless – it’s a downright hazardous waste! Hazardous waste, like pesticides and certain discarded electronics, cannot be carelessly thrown away without causing noticeable damage to the environment or human beings. So just what are you supposed to do with all this poisonous clutter? Well, Pinellas County is here to help with disposing and recycling business waste with its increasingly popular EnviroBusiness Days.

What Are EnviroBusiness Days?

On the second Wednesday of each month, Pinellas County holds what is known as an “EnviroBusiness Day.” Lasting from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, this monthly event offers small business owners the opportunity to safely dispose of or recycle their hazardous waste, as well as certain nonprofits, religious organizations and property managers. However, it’s unlikely that any of these other operations generate the same volume of waste as commercial ventures. This is a program to help get rid of all those hazardous chemicals before they lead to any lawsuits.

Who’s Eligible?

Those wishing to dispose or recycle business waste on an EnviroBusiness Day must qualify as Conditionally Exempt Small Quality Generators (CESQG) of hazardous waste. But how do you know if your business qualifies? Pinellas County defines CESQGs as facilities that generate less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste and less than 2.2 pounds of acute hazardous per calendar month. Hazardous waste refers to waste products that are considered damaging to human health and/or the environment. Acute hazardous waste, on the other hand, refers to substances that would be dangerous even in small amounts, such as certain pesticides and toxins including arsenic and cyanide compounds.

A complete list of the different types of hazardous waste can be found on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulation’s website here.

What Else Should You Know?

In addition to the rules on the volume and types of waste allowed, Pinellas County has a few other guidelines:
Hazardous chemicals should not be mixed together.

• Whenever possible, dispose of the products in their original labeled containers.
• Sealed containers should be placed inside cardboard boxes with old newspapers to prevent breakage or broken glass.
• Leaking containers should be placed inside CLEAR PLASTIC BAGS before being placed inside cardboard boxes with old newspapers.
• Leave individual chemical containers visible so that the staff can easily examine them.
• Boxes containing hazardous materials should be placed in the trunk. If that isn’t an option, in the back of the vehicle and far away from any passengers.
• Battery terminals must either a) be covered in heavy tape or b) placed individually (don’t stuff them all in there!) inside plastic bags to prevent short circuits

Want to know how your business to do more for the environment than just recycling business waste responsibility? Learn more about the socially conscious Benefit Corporation movement at our Knowledge Center.