Hazardous waste

Hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment and generally exhibits one or more of these characteristics:

• ignitability
• corrosivity
• reactivity (explosive)
• toxicity

Many types of businesses generate hazardous waste. Some are small companies that may be located in your community. For example, the following types of businesses typically generate hazardous waste: dry cleaners, auto repair shops, hospitals, exterminators, and photo processing centers. Some hazardous waste generators are larger companies like chemical manufacturers, electroplating companies, and petroleum refineries.

See also radioactive waste, toxic waste

References

The EPA's hazardous waste page: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/hazwaste.htm