Industrial Waste Storage: Rules and Best Practices for Companies

The responsibility for waste management rests with its producer until it is handed over to a licensed operator. Everything that happens before that — how the waste is separated, contained, identified, and stored — falls within the company that produces it. And that is largely where its value is decided.

Separating at source is the rule that governs all others.

The waste storage area must have a designated space and an impermeable floor to prevent soil and water contamination, meeting the following legal requirements:

Preferably located in a covered, ventilated area with adequate and controlled access for waste entry and exit, and restricted access for unauthorized personnel;

Adopt waste prevention measures and prioritize reuse and recycling over disposal;

Store and ensure sorting of waste at the site of production;

Correctly classify waste according to EWC codes, consulting safety data sheets if necessary to determine if the waste is hazardous;

Ensure proper packaging and containment;

Hazardous Waste or Waste Contaminated by Hazardous Substances

The storage facility for hazardous waste must feature a containment area and comply with the following legal requirements:

Covered, ventilated area with adequate, controlled entry/exit access and restricted access for unauthorized personnel;

Sealed container and impermeable retention basin preventing spills and soil/groundwater contamination;

Drainage and collection area for contaminated liquids for subsequent treatment (hydrocarbon separator);

Waste must be properly identified, controlled, and segregated based on flammability, reactivity, and corrosiveness, avoiding incompatibility between substances;

Maintenance of product safety data sheet archives.

You Don't Have to Do This Alone!

MJD holds a waste management licence covering over 600 EWC codes and supports its clients from the initial diagnosis. We visit your facilities, evaluate generated streams, propose appropriate containment solutions — containers, tubs, big bags — and set collection intervals tailored to your production pace. All legal documentation is handled by us.

Schedule a technical visit via residuos@mjd.pt.