Environmental Management Assistance Program
877-ask-emap
Back to Environmental Compliance

Waste

Small businesses generate different types of industrial waste and must comply with state and federal  requirements to ensure proper management of the waste. The generation, storage, disposal, treatment, and transportation of wastes often come with a multitude of environmental regulatory requirements. 

Municipal, residual, and hazardous waste streams are types of waste that small businesses must contend with on a daily basis.

Hazardous Waste

A waste is hazardous if it could pose a danger to human health and the environment after being discarded, if it is listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or if it has certain characteristics such as ignitability, toxicity, corrosivity or reactivity.

In Pennsylvania, most of the state hazardous waste regulations have been adopted directly from the federal hazardous waste regulations & requirements.

The following resources are intended for Pennsylvania small businesses to better understand and manage any hazardous wastes that may be generated at your facility or operation.

Residual Waste

In Pennsylvania, residual waste is industrial, mining and agricultural waste that is not considered to be hazardous or municipal waste.  Examples of residual waste include contaminated soil, rubber, glass, industrial equipment, electronics, filters, detergents and cleaners, excess grindings and shavings, etc.

The following resources are designed to answer some common questions about residual wastes in Pennsylvania.

Municipal Waste

Municipal waste is garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other material resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities that is not residual or hazardous waste.

Universal Waste

Universal wastes are specific types of hazardous wastes that do not have to meet all of the hazardous waste regulations.
Examples include some batteries, pesticides, lamps, thermostats and other mercury devices.

(877) ASK-EMAP

Speak to a consultant about your environmental compliance questions.
Contact us

State Resources:

Pennsylvania Hazardous Waste Regulation Compliance Guide

Residual Waste Biennial Report

Federal Resources:

Harzardous Waste Portal

Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses

Typical Wastes Generated by Industry Sectors

Solvent Contaminated Wipes:

Final Rule

Frequently Asked Questions about Solvent Wipes

877-ask-emap

© EMAP. All rights reserved. Made by Brand Revive.

Jeremy Hancher

Jeremy Hancher is the EMAP Program Manager located at the Widener University SBDC.  He holds over 15 years of experience in environmental compliance, environmental policy, and program management.  He is proud to be the team lead of the award-winning EMAP program which provides free and confidential environmental assistance to the Pennsylvania small business community in fulfillment of the requirements of the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act and Section 507 of the federal Clean Air Act.
In 2015, Jeremy was part of the team effort when EMAP was recognized by US EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for Outstanding Accomplishments by a State Small Business Environmental Assistance Provider in Providing Technical Environmental Assistance to the Small Business Community. Jeremy holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a certificate from the Wharton School.

This is a popup

What do you think of my pop up?