The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County’s Hazardous Waste Program provides services to protect the citizens and visitors of Palm Beach County from adverse health effects attributable to improper generation and disposal of hazardous waste. Waste is classified as hazardous waste if it is specifically listed by EPA, or if the waste exhibits one or more of the characteristics of ignitability, corrosiveness, reactivity, or toxicity.
This program provides oversight of the generation and management of hazardous waste in Palm Beach County. Commercial facilities such as automotive body and repair shops, dry cleaners, laboratories, and hospitals generating hazardous waste are inspected for compliance and permitted through PBC Ordinance 97-58. This Ordinance enables the program to identify, quantify, and assure the proper management of hazardous waste. Enforcement actions are initiated as a result of noncompliance with specific rules and regulations. The type of violation determines the enforcement action taken. Penalties vary depending on the nature and severity of the violation.