Over the past few decades and the increase in
technology, human beings have increased their waste production. However, all of
that volume cannot be discarded in any way. To solve this problem, there is
characterization and classification of residues, which aim to allocate each
material to its most appropriate cycle, without harming the environment.
It is the physical, chemical and biological
identification of the material of which the waste is composed. Based on their
composition, they are identified and separated, each one being directed to a
solution, for example, recycling, incineration or landfill.
Industrialization, in addition to bringing its
benefits to humanity, also offers its consequences and losses. The great
exploitation of resources turns what was once a raw material into a product,
and this, in turn, when it reaches its useful life, ends up becoming waste and
being replaced by a new one.
Sorting the waste correctly is an important task.
Therefore, we have prepared this article for you to better understand the whole
process and its consequences. Follow!
What is the
importance of waste classification?
Classification is essential to avoid errors that
harm the environment when giving a correct final destination for each material.
To maintain organization and prevent risks, waste is classified in two
different ways.
Class I
waste - Hazardous
The residues of this class are those that may
present some level of risk during their decomposition process. Some of these
risks can be: reactivity, corrosively, flammability, pathogen city and
toxicity.
Class II waste - Non-hazardous
These are not risky and are sub classified:
- Class
II A - not inert: these residues cannot fit into any of the other
classifications and have characteristics of biodegradability, combustibility or
solubility in water;
- Class
II B - inert: they have no solubility or combativeness.
When exposed to distilled or deionized water, they
do not undergo physical changes, thus not contaminating the local water.
How to perform the characterization and
classification of solid waste?
The characterization and classification processes
are fundamental parts in the path that the waste must trace from the moment of
its disposal until its final destination. Characterization is the beginning of
all procedures, as it is necessary to carry out a complete analysis, both
visual and physical-chemical, of the waste.
These analyzes will have as main objective to
identify all the structural formation of that component. Structural
characterization procedures can be divided into three main phases before
proceeding to their classification.
The initial stage is oriented from the physical
state, appearance and odor. In it, the state of decomposition is analyzed,
whether it is at the beginning or already advanced, using the color of the
material, unusual smells and whether the structure is intact or not.
In the next step, the main materials that make up
the waste and its origin process are identified. Based on this, the materials
are classified and separated.
In the final characterization stage, the
destination of each material is decided. After separation, each compound has
different needs so that its final destination is carried out correctly.
Classification, in turn, works with
post-characterization. In it, the processes that gave rise to the solid
material of the waste are studied and cataloged. When identifying its entire
production line, the materials are separated according to the risks that their
decomposition can cause to the environment and public health.
What are the
risks of misclassifying waste?
Every waste classification report must be issued by
a technical professional in the area and must strictly follow. It is mandatory
that the correct procedures are followed by the professional when analyzing and
classifying a waste so that it does not result in wrong results.
Incorrect data can lead to a series of
complications, both for the responsible company and for the environment. See
which the main ones are.
Fines
Any process carried out in the wrong way and
outside the regulatory standards will generate severe fines - in the case of
waste classification, it is no different. The situation is not pleasant for any
company, the monetary damages caused by these errors are not low and will
generate a big loss in revenue.
Accident
risks
In addition to the fines, we are dealing with an
area that poses great risks. If a waste is classified in the wrong way, its
final destination will also be inadequate.
A material destined for the wrong area will cause
damage both to the environment and to people who come into direct contact with
its decomposition. Some of these main risks are contamination of soil and
water, release of toxic gases, explosions and even unwanted reactivity on the
spot.
What is the
difference between classification and characterization of waste?
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now the best options to make a good waste disposal management!
These two procedures can seem very similar and even
confuse a large part of the public who are not used to it. But, by knowing a
little more about the subject, it is possible to identify their differences and
individualities.
The characterization works with the beginning of
the entire process, and in it only the physical components of the waste are
identified. The analyzes are based on composition, the presence of other
materials, physical conditions, identification of the level of degradation,
among others.
With the identification, the waste can be destined
for classification, in which there will be recognition if this material has any
risk. Thus, it will be classified and transported to its correct destination.
Nowadays, the production of waste has become an
inevitable process, since everything we consume or produce, consequently, will
generate a quantity of material to spare. But even though we are so used to
generating waste, people often do not realize how to handle disposable
materials correctly.
For this, the help of a professional in the area is
always the most appropriate solution. Only with the support of an expert can we
better understand how the entire waste classification process works and
understand how to correctly apply its separation in our daily lives.
Whether in an industrial environment or in our
homes, the care with separation, disposal and classification of waste needs to
be very well monitored. Every care we can take must be applied to facilitate
the processes carried out later.
Did you like our content and want to understand
better about waste management? So, contact us
right now and see how we can help you.
Read also: Know what are the hazardous waste and what is the best way to manage it right now!
Read also: Supplier qualification: what is it and what is its importance in waste management?
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