Hazardous Waste: What Does This Mean For Food Retail?

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

You may not think the food retail industry manages hazardous materials; however, if not handled properly, everyday items like bleach, florescent bulbs, aerosol cans, batteries and expired pharmaceuticals can be considered dangerous.

By: Chad Ross, Manager, Industry Relations, Food Marketing Institute <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/harzardouswaste.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=eacb476e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="HarzardousWaste" title="HarzardousWaste" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />According to the <a href="https://www.ihmm.org/about-ihmm/what-are-hazardous-materials">Institute of Hazardous Materials Management</a>, a hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, radiological, and/ or physical), which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment either by itself or through interaction with other factors. You may not think the food retail industry manages hazardous materials; however, if not handled properly, everyday items like bleach, florescent bulbs, aerosol cans, batteries and expired pharmaceuticals can be considered dangerous. Grocers know that hazardous spills or exposures impact more than just the front of the store, as removing dangerous products can be more expensive than your typical “clean-up on aisle seven.” With no two spills happening the same way, it’s difficult for companies to predict the associated costs with managing critical situations. Not to mention the complexities of complying with regulations for hazardous waste has numerous monetary implications. A popular resource from the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/steps-complying-regulations-hazardous-waste">Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)</a> outlines the intricacies of hazardous waste management in six steps: Identify, Count, Notify, Manage, Transport, and Recycle, Treat, and Dispose. When it comes to the proper disposal of unsafe contaminants, customer and employee safety are top priorities for food retailers. Having the confidence in your team to identify and classify hazardous waste is just an important as the ability to manage the situation. At this year’s PROTECT 2018 conference, FMI will host professionals from Albertsons and Kroger discussing how to “Make Cents Out of Hazardous Waste.” Join FMI’s Risk and Safety as well as Asset Protection community at <a href="https://nrfprotect.nrf.com/?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=rlsa-search&utm_campaign=protect-18&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkpfWBRDZARIsAAfeXarz4aqqSYo8kT1XWTN9inpwjv4qrMqgOpbGlYtIGYkQFZovarBVX9EaAqQSEALw_wcB">NRF PROTECT</a> in Dallas, TX from June 11-13, 2018 to take a deeper dive on this topic. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Neil D. Warner/Released

Read full article on FMI

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.