Hazardous Waste Disposal for Janitorial Services

Comprehensive Hazardous Waste Management for Cleaning & Janitorial Companies Nationwide

Janitorial and cleaning service companies generate hazardous waste from cleaning chemicals, maintenance operations, and specialized cleaning tasks. From expired products and chemical concentrates to contaminated materials and universal waste, proper disposal is required for regulatory compliance and environmental protection. Hazardous Waste Disposal provides expert waste management services tailored to janitorial operations.

Call (800) 582-4833 for janitorial waste disposal services or email info@hazardouswastedisposal.com

Understanding Janitorial Industry Hazardous Waste

Janitorial service companies accumulate various hazardous materials from cleaning operations, product inventory management, and specialized services. While many modern cleaning products are less hazardous than older formulations, proper waste disposal remains essential for compliance and liability protection.

Why Janitorial Waste Management Matters:

• EPA regulations for hazardous cleaning products

• State and local requirements

• Product returns and discontinued items

• Expired inventory disposal

• Client facility compliance requirements

• Liability protection

• Insurance requirements

• Professional reputation

• Green cleaning certifications

Common Janitorial Waste Streams:

• Expired or discontinued cleaning products

• Chemical concentrates

• Floor care products (strippers, sealers, finishes)

• Disinfectants and sanitizers

• Drain cleaners and openers

• Toilet bowl cleaners

• Degreasers

• Glass cleaners

• Aerosol products

• Floor machine batteries

• Fluorescent lamps and bulbs

• Used mop heads and cleaning cloths

• Empty chemical containers

• Cleaning equipment waste

Types of Janitorial Operations We Serve

Commercial Cleaning Companies

Building cleaning services:

• Office building cleaning

• Retail store cleaning

• Medical facility cleaning

• School and university cleaning

• Industrial facility cleaning

• Multi-tenant building services

Waste generated:

• Variety of cleaning chemicals

• Product inventory turnover

• Aerosol products

• Floor care materials

• Disinfectants

• Equipment batteries

Typical generation:

• Small company: 10-50 gallons/quarter

• Medium company: 50-200 gallons/quarter

• Large company: 200-1,000+ gallons/quarter

Specialized Cleaning Services

Advanced cleaning operations:

• Post-construction cleaning

• Crime scene cleanup (biohazard cleaning)

• Mold remediation

• Hoarding cleanup

• Industrial cleaning

• Decontamination services

Waste generated:

• Specialized chemicals

• Contaminated PPE

• Biological waste with chemicals

• Disinfectants and antimicrobials

• Decontamination solutions

• Absorbents and cleanup materials

Floor Care Specialists

Floor maintenance companies:

• Floor stripping and refinishing

• Carpet cleaning

• Stone and tile cleaning

• Concrete polishing and sealing

Waste generated:

• Floor strippers (highly alkaline)

• Floor sealers and finishes

• Carpet cleaning solutions

• Extraction wastewater

• Specialty stone cleaners

• Concrete treatment chemicals

Facility Maintenance Companies

Building maintenance services:

• General building maintenance

• HVAC maintenance

• Plumbing services

• Electrical services

• Groundskeeping

Waste generated:

• Maintenance chemicals

• Used oil and lubricants

• Paints and coatings

• Solvents

• Pesticides and herbicides

• Batteries

• Fluorescent lamps

• Universal waste

Window Cleaning Companies

Exterior and high-rise cleaning:

• Window cleaning

• Building exterior cleaning

• Pressure washing services

Waste generated:

• Window cleaning solutions

• Pressure washing chemicals

• Cleaning concentrates

• Equipment maintenance waste

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Textile cleaning specialists:

• Carpet steam cleaning

• Upholstery cleaning

• Rug cleaning

• Fabric protection services

Waste generated:

• Cleaning solution wastewater

• Pre-treatment chemicals

• Spot removers

• Protectant overspray

• Equipment cleaning waste

Janitorial Supply Distributors

Suppliers with disposal needs:

• Product returns

• Damaged goods

• Expired inventory

• Discontinued products

• Customer returns

• Warehouse cleanouts

Waste characteristics:

• Large quantities potential

• Variety of products

• Original containers

• Concentrated products

Common Janitorial Hazardous Materials

Alkaline Cleaners

High pH cleaning products:

• Floor strippers (pH 12-14)

• Heavy-duty degreasers

• Oven cleaners

• Drain openers (caustic)

• Concrete cleaners

Hazards:

• Corrosive (D002 if pH ≥12.5)

• Skin and eye burns

• PPE required for handling

Sources:

• Expired products

• Partially used containers

• Wrong products ordered

• Discontinued formulations

Acidic Cleaners

Low pH products:

• Toilet bowl cleaners (hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid)

• Lime and scale removers

• Rust removers

• Tile and grout cleaners

• Metal cleaners

Hazards:

• Corrosive (D002 if pH ≤2)

• Acidic burns

• Fumes

• Never mix with bleach or other cleaners

Disposal:

• Must be kept separate from alkaline cleaners

• Proper characterization required

Disinfectants & Sanitizers

Antimicrobial products:

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)

• Bleach solutions (sodium hypochlorite)

• Phenolic disinfectants

• Hospital-grade disinfectants

• EPA-registered sanitizers

Characteristics:

• May be corrosive

• Toxic to aquatic life

• Cannot be mixed with other products

• Some are pesticides (EPA registered)

Solvents & Degreasers

Solvent-based cleaners:

• Mineral spirits

• D-limonene products

• Petroleum distillates

• Specialty degreasers

• Stain removers

Hazards:

• Flammable (D001)

• VOCs

• Health hazards

• Require proper storage and disposal

Floor Care Products

Floor treatment materials:

• Floor strippers (highly alkaline)

• Floor sealers

• Floor finishes (metal interlock polymers)

• Buffing compounds

• Concrete sealers

Characteristics:

• Strippers very alkaline and corrosive

• Finishes may contain metals (zinc)

• Large volume use

• Often in concentrated form

Pesticides & Herbicides

If providing pest control:

• Insecticides

• Rodenticides

• Herbicides

• Fungicides

Regulations:

• EPA pesticide regulations

• State pesticide laws

• Applicator licensing

• Proper disposal required

Aerosol Products

Spray cleaning products:

• Glass cleaners

• Furniture polish

• Air fresheners

• Disinfectant sprays

• Specialty cleaners

• Lubricants

Management:

• Universal waste in many states

• Pressurized containers

• Proper collection required

• Recycling available

Batteries

Equipment power sources:

• Floor scrubber batteries (lead-acid)

• Burnisher batteries

• Vacuum batteries

• Flashlight batteries

• Emergency lighting batteries

Management:

• Universal waste

• Lead-acid can often be recycled for free

• Lithium batteries require special handling

Fluorescent Lamps

Facility lighting maintenance:

• Fluorescent tubes (all sizes)

• Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

• High-intensity discharge lamps

• If providing lamp replacement services

Management:

• Universal waste

• Mercury content requires proper disposal

• Recycling available

Contaminated Materials

Waste from cleaning operations:

• Used mop heads (chemical-soaked)

• Cleaning rags and towels

• Absorbents from spills

• PPE from hazardous cleaning

• Vacuum bags (potentially hazardous contents)

• Filters from equipment

Janitorial Waste Regulations

EPA RCRA Regulations

Hazardous Waste Determination:

Cleaning products may be hazardous if:

• Ignitable (flash point <140°F) - D001

• Corrosive (pH ≤2 or ≥12.5) - D002

• Toxic (TCLP testing) - D004-D011

Common hazardous cleaning wastes:

• Floor strippers (corrosive)

• Acid cleaners (corrosive)

• Solvent-based products (ignitable)

• Some drain openers (corrosive)

• Pesticides (toxic, various codes)

Generator Category:

Most janitorial companies are:

• VSQG: <100 kg (220 lbs) per month - Most small companies

• SQG: 100-1,000 kg per month - Medium to large companies

• LQG: >1,000 kg per month - Very large operations or distributors

Universal Waste

Simplified management for:

• Batteries (all types)

• Lamps (fluorescent, HID)

• Mercury-containing devices (thermostats if applicable)

• Aerosol cans (in many states)

Benefits:

• Longer accumulation time (one year)

• No manifests required

• Simplified compliance

• Lower costs

State & Local Regulations

Vary by location:

• Some states require business licensing

• Drain disposal restrictions

• VOC content limits

• Pesticide applicator requirements

• Local hazardous waste programs

Clean Water Act

Sewer discharge restrictions:

• Cannot discharge hazardous waste to drains

• pH limits

• Metals and toxics limits

• Even diluted products may exceed limits

Never pour down drains:

• Concentrated cleaning products

• Floor strippers

• Acid cleaners

• Pesticides

• Solvents

DOT Transportation

When transporting hazardous materials:

• Proper containers

• Labeling requirements

• Quantity limits

• Vehicle placarding

• We handle all DOT compliance

Our Janitorial Industry Waste Services

Scheduled Pickup Services

Regular collection programs:

• Quarterly pickups for most companies

• Monthly service for larger operations

• Annual service for small companies

• Flexible scheduling around your operations

We collect:

• Expired cleaning products

• Discontinued items

• Wrong products ordered

• Partially used containers

• Damaged goods

• Product returns

We provide:

• Proper collection containers

• All transportation

• Waste characterization

• Complete manifests

• Disposal certificates

Product Inventory Cleanouts

For janitorial companies:

• Warehouse cleanouts

• Expired product disposal

• Discontinued line removal

• Product consolidation projects

• Facility relocations

• Business closures

We handle:

• Large quantities

• Multiple product types

• Original packaging

• Concentrate disposal

• Complete documentation

Universal Waste Programs

Comprehensive universal waste service:

• Battery collection and recycling

• Fluorescent lamp recycling

• Aerosol can disposal

• Mercury device collection

Benefits:

• Simplified compliance

• Single-source service

• Consolidated billing

• Complete documentation

Contaminated Materials Disposal

Cleaning operation waste:

• Chemical-soaked mop heads

• Contaminated rags and towels

• Used cleaning pads

• PPE from hazardous cleaning

• Absorbents from spills

• Equipment cleaning waste

Proper containerization and disposal

Waste Characterization

We determine:

• pH testing (corrosivity)

• Flash point (ignitability)

• Proper waste classification

• EPA waste codes

• Disposal requirements

Why it matters:

• Determines disposal method

• Affects costs

• Ensures compliance

• Required for manifesting

Emergency Disposal Services

When you need immediate help:

• Product spills

• Customer complaints

• Regulatory inspections

• Facility closures

• Urgent compliance needs

24/7 availability for emergencies

Consulting & Training

We help janitorial companies:

• Understand regulations

• Implement proper procedures

• Train staff on waste handling

• Set up compliant programs

• Reduce disposal costs

• Prepare for inspections

Multi-Location Service

For companies with multiple offices:

• Coordinated service across locations

• Consistent procedures

• Consolidated billing

• Complete documentation

• Single point of contact

Janitorial Waste Disposal Costs

Cost Factors:

• Type of products (corrosive, flammable, non-hazardous)

• Quantity

• Container sizes

• Service frequency

• Number of locations

• Original packaging vs. consolidated waste

Typical Pricing:

Common Cleaning Products:

• Floor strippers: $3-$8 per gallon

• Acid cleaners: $3-$7 per gallon

• Alkaline cleaners: $3-$7 per gallon

• Disinfectants: $2-$5 per gallon

• Solvents: $5-$12 per gallon

• General purpose cleaners: $2-$5 per gallon

Aerosol Products:

• Per can: $2-$6 each

• Per drum (100-150 cans): $400-$800

Batteries:

• Lead-acid batteries: Often FREE recycling

• Other batteries: $1-$5 per pound

Fluorescent Lamps:

• 4-foot tubes: $0.60-$2.00 each

• 8-foot tubes: $1.20-$4.00 each

• CFLs: $0.30-$1.00 each

Contaminated Materials:

• Mop heads and rags: $200-$500 per drum

• Cleaning waste: $150-$400 per drum

Service Costs:

Regular Pickups:

• Quarterly service (small company): $300-$800/quarter

• Quarterly service (medium company): $800-$2,000/quarter

• Monthly service (large company): $500-$2,000/month

One-Time Services:

• Warehouse cleanout: $1,000-$10,000+ depending on size

• Product disposal (small load): $300-$800

• Emergency service: Premium charges

Minimum pickup charge: $150-$300

Volume discounts available for regular service and large quantities

Call (800) 582-4833 for customized pricing for your janitorial operation

Cost Reduction Strategies for Janitorial Companies

Inventory Management

Reduce waste generation:

• Better inventory tracking

• Just-in-time ordering

• Proper product rotation (FIFO)

• Accurate forecasting

• Avoid over-ordering

• Proper storage to prevent expiration

Product Selection

Choose wisely:

• Green cleaning products (less hazardous)

• Concentrated products (less waste)

• Products with longer shelf life

• Quality products that work better

• Avoid products with very short shelf life

Proper Storage

Prevent product degradation:

• Temperature-controlled storage

• Sealed containers

• Organized inventory

• Protected from extreme temperatures

• First in, first out rotation

Employee Training

Reduce waste through proper use:

• Correct dilution ratios

• Proper application methods

• Don't waste product

• Avoid mixing incompatible products

• Recognize when products are expired

Regular Disposal

Don't let waste accumulate:

• Schedule regular pickups

• Dispose of expired products promptly

• Don't store waste for years

• Maintain compliance with time limits

Segregation

Separate waste types:

• Acids separate from bases

• Aerosols separate

• Universal waste separate

• Non-hazardous separate from hazardous

• May reduce disposal costs

Common Janitorial Service Scenarios

Small Cleaning Company

A 10-employee commercial cleaning company with warehouse storage generates 40 gallons quarterly of expired and returned cleaning products including floor care products, disinfectants, and general cleaners. We provide quarterly pickup service.

Quarterly waste: 40 gallons + aerosols
Quarterly cost: $400-$800

Medium Janitorial Company

A 50-employee company with multiple crews and warehouse generates 150 gallons quarterly of various cleaning products plus batteries, lamps, and aerosols. We provide quarterly pickup with universal waste service.

Quarterly waste: 150 gallons + universal waste
Quarterly cost: $1,200-$2,400

Large Facility Services Company

A 200-employee company servicing commercial buildings generates 500 gallons quarterly of cleaning chemicals, floor care products, and maintenance materials. We provide monthly pickup across multiple locations.

Monthly waste: ~170 gallons average
Monthly cost: $1,500-$3,000

Floor Care Specialist

A floor care company generates 100 gallons monthly of spent floor stripper, waste from carpet cleaning operations, and related materials. We provide monthly pickup.

Monthly waste: 100 gallons
Monthly cost: $600-$1,200

Janitorial Supply Distributor

A janitorial supply distributor with warehouse needs to dispose of 2,000 gallons of various returned, damaged, and expired products. We provide complete warehouse cleanout service over multiple days.

Total disposal: 2,000 gallons
Total cost: $8,000-$15,000

Specialized Cleaning Company

A crime scene cleanup and biohazard remediation company generates contaminated cleaning materials, disinfectants, and PPE. We provide monthly pickup with proper characterization.

Monthly waste: Varies, includes contaminated materials
Monthly cost: $500-$1,500

Why Janitorial Companies Choose Us

Industry Understanding

We understand janitorial operations, products, and challenges. Not just another waste company.

Flexible Service

Quarterly, monthly, or annual service. One-time cleanouts. We work around your schedule.

Complete Compliance

We ensure you meet EPA, state, and local requirements. Full documentation provided.

Cost-Effective Solutions

Competitive pricing with volume discounts. We help minimize your disposal costs.

Universal Waste Programs

Simplified management for batteries, lamps, and aerosols through universal waste rules.

Multi-Location Service

Coordinated service for companies with multiple locations. Consolidated billing.

Reliable Pickup

Dependable service when scheduled. We understand you need consistent service.

Product Knowledge

We understand cleaning products and can properly characterize your waste.

Best Practices for Janitorial Waste Management

Product Storage

• Store products properly per label instructions

• Keep concentrated products sealed

• Organize by product type

• Temperature-controlled storage when needed

• First in, first out rotation

• Separate incompatible products

Inventory Management

• Track product inventory

• Monitor expiration dates

• Dispose of expired products promptly

• Order appropriate quantities

• Use products before expiration

• Proper forecasting

Waste Segregation

• Separate acids from bases

• Keep aerosols separate

• Universal waste separate

• Don't mix incompatible products

• Label waste containers clearly

Employee Training

• Train all employees on chemical handling

• Proper dilution procedures

• Never mix incompatible products

• Recognize hazardous materials

• Spill response procedures

• When to contact disposal service

Container Management

• Use proper containers for waste

• Label containers clearly

• Date waste containers

• Keep containers closed

• Store in designated area

• Secondary containment if needed

Record Keeping

• Maintain all disposal manifests (3 years)

• Track waste generation

• Keep disposal certificates

• Document training

• Product inventory records

Safety Procedures

• Read product labels and SDS

• Use proper PPE

• Good ventilation when handling chemicals

• Spill kits available

• Eye wash and safety shower access

• Emergency procedures posted

Getting Started

Initial Consultation

We'll assess:

• Types of products you use/store

• Current waste generation

• Storage and handling practices

• Compliance status

• Opportunities for cost reduction

Service Setup

We provide:

• Appropriate waste containers

• Proper labels

• Written procedures

• Training materials

• Service schedule

• Emergency contact information

Ongoing Partnership

We work with you:

• Scheduled pickup service

• Regulatory updates

• Cost reduction advice

• Training support

• Emergency response

• Questions and concerns

Get Started with Janitorial Waste Services

Call (800) 582-4833 or email info@hazardouswastedisposal.com

What to have ready:

• Company name and location(s)

• Types of cleaning products used

• Approximate quantities needing disposal

• Storage situation

• Current disposal practices

• Desired service frequency

• Any special concerns

We'll provide:

• Free consultation and assessment

• Customized service plan

• Competitive pricing

• Container recommendations

• Written proposal

• Service agreement

Services available:

• Scheduled waste pickup (quarterly, monthly, annual)

• Product inventory cleanouts

• Universal waste programs (batteries, lamps, aerosols)

• Contaminated materials disposal

• Waste characterization

• Emergency disposal

• Training and consulting

• Multi-location service

• Contract pricing

Serving janitorial and cleaning service companies nationwide, since 1992 - comprehensive waste management that keeps your business compliant and operating smoothly

Let us handle your hazardous waste disposal so you can focus on providing excellent cleaning services to your customers