Waste good housekeeping

Best management practices are inherently pollution prevention practices. Traditionally, BMPs have focused on good housekeeping measures and good management techniques intending to avoid contact between pollutants and water media as a result of leaks, spills, and improper waste disposal. 

Good housekeeping is the easiest and often the cheapest way to reduce waste. Keep work areas clean. 

Many facilities in this industry use in-plant technology to reduce or eliminate the waste load, requiring end-of-pipe treatment and thereby improve the quality of the effluent discharge and reduce treatment costs. In-plant technology involves water reuse, process material conservation, reclamation of waste enamel, process modifications, material substitutions, improved rinse techniques, and good housekeeping practices.3-615... 

Maintain good housekeeping practices (e.g., on ending an experiment, be sure to return all radionuchdes to their safe storage locations, dispose of all contaminated items, and decontaminate surfaces). Remember that any unsuitably shielded waste can be hazardous to lab workers and custodial personnel. 

Good housekeeping - accumulations of substances on the workplace floor, either as dusts or as residues left over from previous process batches, can contaminate clothing and should be cleaned up for disposal to stores or an appropriate waste bin. 

A simple checklist approach to start the process of waste assessment leading to minimisation, will clearly demonstrate where good housekeeping practices can contribute. 

Examples of waste minimisation through good housekeeping. It is useful to demonstrate the possible savings by citing a few examples achieved by a medium sized chemicals producer. 

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