Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is any waste material that poses a substantial risk to human health, property, or the environment due to its physical, chemical, biological, or toxic characteristics. It may be generated by industrial processes, manufacturing, healthcare activities, laboratories, agriculture, construction, or households. Common examples include solvents, paints, pesticides, batteries, contaminated oils, asbestos, certain electronic waste, and chemical residues.

Hazardous waste is typically classified based on properties such as toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, ecotoxicity, explosiveness, or reactivity. Because of these risks, its storage, transport, treatment, recovery, and disposal are subject to strict regulatory controls in many jurisdictions. Effective hazardous waste management helps prevent pollution, protects workers and communities, reduces environmental damage, and supports compliance with environmental regulations and international agreements governing waste movements and disposal.