Managing the Treatment and Disposal of Hazardous Waste
October 13, 2025
The City of Mobile recently hosted a free household hazardous waste collection event for its residents. Household hazardous waste includes items that are not routinely picked up by bulk trash and garbage collection services, as they can be harmful to the environment and to humans if not disposed of properly. Both personal households and businesses have a responsibility to their communities to minimize the impact their waste, particularly hazardous waste, has on the environment.
What is Hazardous Waste?
While common household items like paint, batteries, cleaners, fertilizers and medications often come to mind when discussing hazardous waste, industry is also a major contributor to hazardous waste issues. Many industrial manufacturing processes can produce hazardous waste in a variety of forms, including liquids, solids, gases and sludges. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a regulatory definition and process that identifies hazardous substances and how they should be managed.
Industries that are prone to hazardous waste production include:
- Construction
- Dry Cleaning
- Educational and Vocational Shops (Automobile repair, Woodworking, Metalworking)
- Equipment Repair
- Furniture Manufacturing and Refinishing
- Laboratories
- Textile Manufacturing
- Transportation (Freight and Railroad)
- Pesticide Application and Cleanup
- Printing and Photo Processing
- Vehicle Maintenance
Companies in these industries must determine if they produce hazardous waste and, if so, must oversee waste processing, treatment and recycling or disposal. Examples of industrial hazardous waste include solvents, paints, pesticides, heavy metals and more.
Disposal and Recycling of Hazardous Waste
Regulations at both the federal and state levels are in place to help businesses recycle or dispose of hazardous waste properly. At the federal level, the EPA manages various standards, exclusions and exemptions for categories of hazardous waste – it is up to the business to understand the waste it produces and the regulations that apply in their industry and geographic location.
Proper disposal of hazardous industrial waste is critical to preserving the environment – especially drinking water – and protecting people from various toxins that can cause severe illness. Air, soil, water and wildlife are affected when hazardous waste disposal goes awry. Businesses can avoid costly fines and tarnished reputations by having a disposal plan in place.
Hazardous waste recycling is managed by its own set of regulations at the federal and state levels. When a material is reused, reclaimed or used in a way that constitutes disposal and burned for energy recovery, it is recycled. These approaches can reduce environmental hazards and protect natural resources.
At home, take-back programs like the one offered by the City of Mobile are ideal for disposing of household hazardous wastes. Residents should contact their municipal or county utilities office to find out more about local policies, regulations and disposal programs.
Experts Can Help with Hazardous Waste Assessment and Remediation
When operating a business that produces hazardous waste, proactive management can go a long way. Recycle and reuse materials when possible, and store hazardous waste properly until it can be recycled or discarded.
Environmental experts such as the team at McFadden Engineering support industrial companies through site assessment and necessary remediation, facility management and operations, water and wastewater treatment (which can be considered a form of hazardous waste recycling), environmental compliance and more.
Hazardous waste does not have to threaten environmental or human health. Instead, when waste is managed well and with expert support, companies can build public trust, reduce costs and lower the risk of environmental impact.
How to Help Your Organization “Go Green”
September 16, 2025
How to Help Your Organization “Go Green”
The “go green” movement has been growing and evolving for both individuals and businesses for decades. While simple swaps and environmentally conscious habits around daily living can support sustainability efforts at home, businesses that embrace going green have an opportunity to make a difference in their communities while boosting their bottom line.
Create an Eco-Friendly Culture
Buy-in from employees is a critical component of successful green office efforts. Educating employees about how they can play a role in sustainability efforts during their day-to-day work is a great first step. Encourage recycling, reusable water bottles, turning off electronics at the end of the day, environmentally conscious transportation and other small habits that, when added up, foster an eco-friendly culture.
Additionally, investing in environmentally friendly daily-use equipment can indicate to employees that the company takes sustainability seriously. Using hybrid or solar power systems, low-pressure water systems and rainwater collection tanks at the office are good places to start and can help lower utility costs over time.
For companies that operate machinery, water recycling can be an excellent option to cool systems and wash equipment while reducing operating and utility costs. Efficient use of water can also help conserve resources and save money – this could include operating water-based machinery when fully loaded, turning the air conditioning off when not in use and only using cooling equipment when necessary.
Transparency Builds Trust
Building an eco-friendly culture within an organization and following proper protocols for permitting and environmental compliance can help put your company on the map as a trustworthy, sustainability-focused business. Consumer perception is important, as many consumers are making sustainability a priority in their own lives and want the companies they buy from to do the same. Transparency about environmental wins, and even more importantly, any environmental issues, is crucial for building consumer trust.
Companies should aim to be authentic in their efforts to “go green” and document the steps taken along the way.
Outsource to the Environmental Experts
When it comes time to open a new physical location or embark on a new project where environmental regulations come into play, proper planning is crucial to success. An environmental engineering company can help develop master planning and conduct site assessments to help an organization remain in compliance and reduce the risk of excess spending and issues with the public down the road.
McFadden Engineering’s team is experienced in grading/drainage plan development, detention/retention design, stormwater management and other tasks that help businesses get their site up and running while keeping sustainability and compliance top of mind.
Once a plan is in place and initial assessments and permitting are complete, environmental engineering firms like McFadden Engineering can continue to support businesses in their sustainability efforts by managing facility operations, maintaining facility compliance, creating response plans for spills and developing treatment alternatives for permitted discharge limits. “Going green” is a continuous process, so having environmental engineers available to support large-scale sustainability efforts can ensure up-to-date and innovative solutions.
For more information about how McFadden Engineering can support your company in its sustainability efforts, view a list of our services.