As most salon owners know, there are strict guidelines you need to follow when disposing of certain items, such as hazardous chemicals. Not only does proper disposal keep people and the environment safe, but salons can also avoid hefty fines and penalties by following local regulations.

If you’re a new salon owner, you may be wondering how to handle medical compliance in St. Louis city. This article breaks down what you need to know about keeping your salon compliant when disposing hazardous waste.

First, know what materials in your salon are considered hazardous

Salons deal with hazardous materials and chemicals on a daily basis. Any product that is considered hazardous will typically have what’s called a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). An SDS is a document that contains important information about the product’s safety risks, and how to properly handle and store the product.

Examples of hazardous items in salons include:

• Acetone and nail polish remover.
• Acrylic liquids and powders.
• Nail polish, gels, and top coats.
• Hair spray and other aerosols.
• Bleach and hair dye.
• Disinfectants used to clean hair tools and other equipment.
• Other cleaning products, such as ammonia.

Properly seal, store, and label your hazardous waste items

Once you’ve identified which items in your salon are hazardous, it’s important to properly seal, store, and label them before disposing:

• Sealing items: Properly sealing your hazardous products will minimize the risk of harmful exposure. This will also prevent chemicals from mixing, which can create dangerous reactions, such as chlorine gas. Be sure that your products are securely sealed in plastic bags or other leak-proof containers.
• Storing items: When prepping for disposal, your salon’s hazardous items should be labeled and stored correctly. First, use separate bins to ensure incompatible hazardous items are kept apart. We recommend separating your bins by category, such as: corrosives, aerosols and flammables, and general waste. It’s also important to store your bins in a safe place away from high-traffic areas.
• Labeling items: Once your items have been placed in the correct storage containers, be sure to label the bins. You should also track the accumulation date for each bin. This is one of the top things local inspectors will check when evaluating your St. Louis city salon’s medical compliance practices.

Dispose your hazardous waste in accordance with state and local regulations

Households that generate hazardous waste can simply use drop-off facilities within St. Louis city, but businesses do not have this option for maintaining medical compliance. Instead, most salon owners seek the help of hazardous waste disposal companies, such as Preferred Waste Concepts.

At Preferred Waste Concepts, we can help you meet medical compliance requirements by properly disposing any hazardous waste that your salon generates. Our experienced professionals will ensure that your waste is safely handled according to local and state regulations.

Does your salon need help with medical compliance in St. Louis city?

Preferred Waste Concepts would be happy to help your salon maintain medical compliance when disposing hazardous materials in St. Louis city. We offer flexible pick-up schedules to ensure your waste is disposed of in a timely manner. Contact us today to get started.