The dumping or improper disposal of hazardous waste—due to its corrosive, toxic, flammable, reactive, or infectious properties, among others—can result in severe environmental pollution and pose serious risks to public health. With societal development and the ongoing advancement of industrialization, the volume of industrial hazardous waste has been steadily increasing. Consequently, the safe disposal of hazardous waste has increasingly become a focal point of public concern. Since China issued the “National Plan for the Construction of Hazardous Waste and Medical Waste Disposal Facilities” in 2004, the key hazardous waste disposal projects outlined in the plan have been largely completed. It can be said that China’s technology for the safe disposal of hazardous waste and the level of its related industrial development have both improved substantially. Nevertheless, the construction of disposal facilities still lags behind the growth rate of hazardous waste; therefore, strengthening the development of such facilities remains a top priority. Hazardous waste disposal projects are environmentally sensitive undertakings, and their environmental impact assessments exhibit certain unique characteristics. The following analysis addresses the issues associated with the environmental impact assessment of these projects.

1. Advantages of Comprehensive Utilization of Hazardous Waste

1.1 Reduction

“Reduce” refers to minimizing the amount of hazardous waste generated or subsequently processed, stored, or disposed of to the greatest extent possible. Waste reduction encompasses source reduction as well as efficient use, reuse, and recycling. Reducing solid waste is the fundamental approach to addressing solid-waste pollution. The comprehensive utilization of heavy-metal-containing sludge constitutes a form of heavy-metal reduction, which effectively lowers the discharge of heavy metals and alleviates the environmental burden.

1.2 Recycling

Recycling refers to the direct use of waste as raw materials or the recycling of waste. Comprehensive utilization of heavy metal-containing sludge projects generally extract useful components from sludge, or use chemical methods to replace useful components to form new useful materials. The materials extracted from sludge are used in society, which is a clear manifestation of resource utilization. The comprehensive utilization of heavy metal-containing sludge is a waste recycling industry, a resource-saving industry, and an environment-friendly industry. It is also an important change to the traditional development model that is heavily consumed and discarded. It is an important part of promoting the circular economy and realizing the sustainable development of the regional economy.

2. Investigation of the source of hazardous waste

Given the importance of understanding the source, type, form, and hazardous characteristics of hazardous waste, it is crucial to assess the feasibility of the hazardous waste disposal center’s scale, location, and process. Therefore, when undertaking the construction of hazardous waste disposal facilities, a detailed investigation of the sources, types, forms, and characteristics of hazardous wastes is essential. The following investigation methods may be employed:

2.1 Quoting the Declared Data. In recent years, my country has gradually strengthened the management and control of hazardous waste. According to the “Guidelines for the Declaration and Registration of Solid Wastes” of the State Environmental Protection Administration on hazardous waste declaration and registration, the initial amount of hazardous waste declaration is 10kg/a, according to the technical specifications for declaration and registration. Prepared hazardous waste survey forms and fill-in regulations, and used the form-filling method to require chemical companies to declare the actual waste generation, treatment and disposal status, and summarize the source of hazardous waste through the declaration data of each pollution-producing unit.

2.2 Data survey method. Based on the investigation of the hazardous waste categories and generation volumes in the environmental impact assessments of approved hazardous waste production facilities, the data provided in these assessments are generally forecast figures. In practice, however, the actual operating conditions of the enterprises often differ from the conditions approved in the environmental impact assessment, and the production processes may even vary, leading to potential changes. Consequently, the accuracy of the data obtained through this survey is moderate.

2.3 On-site Investigation Method. This method involves an in-depth examination of the sources, types, forms, and hazardous characteristics of various hazardous wastes generated by different waste-producing enterprises. While this approach yields more accurate data, it requires substantial investment and a relatively long implementation period. In addition, companies often have reservations about such investigations. Consequently, on-site investigations typically necessitate the cooperation of environmental protection administrative authorities.

3. Environmental Impact of the Comprehensive Utilization of Hazardous Waste

3.1 Insufficient Disposal of Hazardous Waste

The regulatory base is unclear, and the destination of hazardous waste remains unknown. In many regions, oversight of hazardous waste is confined to enterprises above a certain production scale; hazardous waste generated by township hospitals or by enterprises, universities, research institutions, and other entities is still not being effectively collected. Some enterprises classify certain hazardous wastes as by-products or treat them as general solid waste, failing to report such waste as required or even concealing it and underreporting its quantity. The spatial distribution of disposal facilities is suboptimal, further complicating the transfer of hazardous waste. Certain waste treatment sectors with relatively high profit margins—such as those handling waste mineral oil and waste circuit boards—are experiencing overcapacity. Conversely, for hazardous wastes that are difficult to utilize or have low value, such as waste acids and waste salts, there is a severe shortage of disposal capacity. Given the complex procedures and lengthy turnaround times associated with hazardous-waste transfers, some regions with excess disposal capacity are reluctant to accept hazardous waste from other areas. As a result, illegal transfer, dumping, and disposal are widespread. Moreover, the disposal costs for hazardous waste generated by enterprises are relatively high, and some of this waste itself possesses significant economic value, which further incentivizes illegal transfer, dumping, and disposal. This phenomenon is alarmingly common.

Under such circumstances, it is easy to cause frequent environmental accidents and become a major type of environmental pollution crimes. Not only will it cause serious pollution to the environment, but it will also have a negative impact on the society.

3.2 Challenges in Determining the Attributes of Solid Waste

For a long time, there have been problems of heavy moisture and light solid waste in environmental management work, as well as in environmental impact assessment work. my country has not yet promulgated special technical guidelines concerning the environmental impact assessment of hazardous waste construction projects. In the environmental impact assessment documents, there are few environmental impact assessments of solid waste, and there are large differences between the types and quantities of actual hazardous wastes and the results of the environmental assessment, and the attributes of hazardous wastes Lack of judgment and environmental risk assessment, no specific targeted disposal, utilization measures, and technical and economic feasibility issues.

3.3 Acoustic Environmental Impact

The noise generated following the operation of the heavy-metal sludge comprehensive utilization project primarily stems from various mechanical equipment. By implementing comprehensive measures—including vibration isolation, noise reduction, sound insulation, and landscaping for high-noise equipment—the noise levels at the plant boundary are ensured to comply with regulatory standards both during the day and at night, with sound levels meeting the required limits.

3.4 Impact of Solid Waste

The comprehensive utilization project for heavy-metal-containing sludge. The solid waste consists of the residual sludge remaining after the extraction of its effective components, as well as the sludge generated during the process. Most of the heavy-metal-containing hazardous wastes are transferred to a qualified facility for safe disposal to prevent secondary environmental pollution.

4. Measures for the Environmental Impact of the Comprehensive Utilization of Hazardous Waste

4.1 Actively support the development of the hazardous waste disposal industry

To enhance the efficiency of hazardous waste disposal, ensure standardized disposal practices, and prevent improper handling, accidental leaks, and pollution incidents, all regions should actively support the development of the hazardous waste disposal industry, thereby guaranteeing that each area has an adequate number of licensed hazardous waste disposal facilities to meet local requirements for standardized hazardous waste management.

4.2 Pay Attention to the Environmental Impact Assessment of Transportation

At present, the transportation of hazardous waste is mainly by road transportation. During the transportation, the "Technical Specifications for the Collection, Storage and Transportation of Hazardous Wastes" must be followed, and collection, temporary storage, packaging, and temporary storage must comply with the "Hazardous Waste Storage Pollution Control Signs". 》Secondly, the transshipment unit needs to hold hazardous waste transportation qualification, the transportation container meets the relevant requirements, choose the appropriate transportation route, and try to avoid sensitive road sections such as residential settlements, historical sites, nature reserves, scenic spots, and drinking water source protection areas; Third, the comprehensive utilization unit of hazardous waste needs to make a plan for receiving, and register, test, temporarily store and process foreign hazardous waste into the factory; fourth, complete the procedures for the transfer of hazardous waste, and complete the registration of hazardous waste. Record and keep it for more than 10 years.

4.3 Pay Attention to Environmental Risk Assessment

The environmental risk impact assessment shall focus on the identification of major hazard sources, encompassing not only the storage of hazardous wastes but also the storage of associated auxiliary materials, and shall determine the critical mass of relevant substances to ascertain whether the project poses major hazards. Where major hazards are identified, risk-related predictions and evaluations shall be conducted in accordance with the risk assessment guidelines. At the same time, consideration shall be given to the establishment of accident pools and other risk prevention measures.

The volume of the accident pool must be determined according to the accident emergency collection methods of leaked materials, fire fighting wastewater, and initial rainwater. The risk prevention measures adopted include preventive measures to prevent the leakage of hazardous waste, preventive measures against the leakage of hazardous chemicals, preventive measures against the leakage of hazardous waste during road transportation, and safety management measures. At the same time, an emergency plan for environmental accidents of the project needs to be put forward.

4.4 Avoid introducing other heavy metals

Heavy-metal-containing comprehensive utilization projects are characterized by diverse raw-material sources, complex compositions, multiple product types, significant utility value, and a wide range of hazardous metal concentrations. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to the “Analysis of Pollutants Up to Standard Emission Analysis and Requirements for Total Pollutant Emission Control” and the “Comprehensive Utilization Process” requirements for the control of hazardous elements in excipients, in order to prevent the introduction of additional heavy metals. At the same time, stringent requirements should be imposed on the sourcing of raw materials for the project to minimize the quantity and variety of secondary hazardous waste and to reduce its potential harm.

In general, the management of hazardous waste is of paramount importance, and all relevant departments must place greater emphasis on this critical task. Currently, significant shortcomings persist in China’s hazardous-waste management system, underscoring the urgent need to implement targeted measures to accelerate the development of the hazardous-waste industry.

Source: Xinjiang Environmental Protection