Hazardous Waste: What Does This Mean For Food Retail?
By: Chad Ross, Manager, Industry Relations, Food Marketing Institute
According to the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, a hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/ or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment either by itself or through interaction with other factors. You may not think the food retail industry manages hazardous materials; however, if not handled properly, everyday items like bleach, florescent bulbs, aerosol cans, batteries and expired pharmaceuticals can be considered dangerous.
Grocers know that hazardous spills or exposures impact more than just the front of the store, as removing dangerous products can be more expensive than your typical “clean-up on aisle seven.” With no two spills happening the same way, it’s difficult for companies to predict the associated costs with managing critical situations. Not to mention the complexities of complying with regulations for hazardous waste has numerous monetary implications. A popular resource from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlines the intricacies of hazardous waste management in six steps: Identify, Count, Notify, Manage, Transport, and Recycle, Treat, and Dispose. When it comes to the proper disposal of unsafe contaminants, customer and employee safety are top priorities for food retailers. Having the confidence in your team to identify and classify hazardous waste is just an important as the ability to manage the situation.
At this year’s PROTECT 2018 conference, FMI will host professionals from Albertsons and Kroger discussing how to “Make Cents Out of Hazardous Waste.” Join FMI’s Risk and Safety as well as Asset Protection community at NRF PROTECT in Dallas, TX from June 11-13, 2018 to take a deeper dive on this topic.
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