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Hazardous waste is dangerous to humans and the environment and must be handled and disposed of carefully. Most comes from industrial processes, but households also produce significant amounts. Laws require proper disposal, and companies may face legal repercussions for violations. There are four main types of hazardous waste, and efficient disposal methods have been developed over time.
Hazardous waste is legally defined as solid waste with the potential to harm humans or the environment. This type of waste must be treated very carefully for safety reasons, and there are special regulations regarding handling and disposal. Most hazardous waste is poisonous in some way, but some are classified as hazardous because they are flammable or explosive. Much hazardous waste comes from industrial processes and increased regulation has generally led to a reduction in the amount produced.
Protection agencies define four main types of hazardous waste. The first type is called “listed waste” and that basically means that it comes from industrial or scientific processes and agencies have protocols to deal with it. “Universal waste” is found in everyday objects such as batteries. ‘Characteristic wastes’ are similar to listed wastes, but are not as well documented and ‘mixed wastes’ are generally radioactive materials combined with other waste components.
The vast majority of hazardous materials come from companies and some are not actually large industrial companies. For example, auto repair shops produce a lot of hazardous waste, as do hospitals. In general, companies that produce hazardous waste are required by law to dispose of it properly and to protect the public from exposure. Companies that violate these rules may be subject to legal repercussions, including private lawsuits and government prosecutions.
Laws were passed in the early 1990s making it illegal to use ordinary landfills for the disposal of hazardous substances. The only exception was in cases where the waste had been chemically treated to make it less harmful. There has generally been a fair amount of industrial resistance to these types of laws, because they can increase production costs, but this has diminished over time as more efficient disposal methods have come onto the market. Some companies have found ways to recycle hazardous waste and turn it into useful substances, while others destroy waste with incineration procedures and similar methods.
The average person can produce significant hazardous materials in their home. For example, pesticides used in a person’s garden may be classified as hazardous waste, and some cleaning products are potentially very hazardous. A major source of household hazardous waste comes from the automobile and various items used to maintain it. Gasoline, oil, antifreeze and battery acid are all byproducts of automotive maintenance and can pose a significant risk.
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