EPA Requirements Your Business Must Adhere To

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As a business owner, you have a lot on your plate. From managing day-to-day operations to staying ahead of competitors, it’s easy to focus on other objectives.

Don’t overlook compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Read about the EPA requirements that your business must adhere to.

Monitor Air Emissions

Manufacturing plants, factories, and power plants frequently release pollutants into the air. Therefore, these businesses must adhere to the Clean Air Act. The act aims to safeguard public health by regulating air emissions.

Regularly monitoring and reporting emissions is essential to demonstrate your business is meeting these standards. Failure to comply with air emission regulations can result in severe fines, operational shutdowns, or damage to the business’s reputation.

Storage Tank Requirements

If your business uses storage tanks to hold fuel, chemicals, or other hazardous substances, installing tank liners is necessary. Tank liners prevent leaks that could contaminate soil, groundwater, and nearby ecosystems.

It’s important to note that there are additional EPA requirements for secondary containment systems to ensure environmental contamination does not occur. Along with using quality tank liners, regular inspections and maintenance guarantee the storage tanks remain intact.

Stormwater Runoff

Runoff from rain or melting snow can carry pollutants like oil, grease, trash, or chemical residues from a business’s property into nearby water sources. This occurrence can harm aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies.

To prevent this, the EPA requires businesses to develop and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). It should include installing permeable pavement, creating retention ponds to filter runoff, and regularly cleaning parking lots to reduce contaminants.

Keep Track of Hazardous Waste

The EPA requires businesses that generate hazardous waste to obtain an EPA identification number and maintain detailed records of waste generation, storage practices, and disposal methods. Businesses must consistently inspect the storage facilities, repair any issues promptly, and update practices as regulations and operational needs change. Proper management helps avoid accidents, leaks, and spills that can harm employees, the community, and the environment.

Compliance is not just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting the environment, safeguarding public health, and maintaining your business’s reputation. It’s your duty to run a business that adheres to EPA requirements. These practices can help create a healthy planet and provide your business long-term success.