Waste is generally considered hazardous if it (or the material/substances it contains) is harmful and poses a substantial threat to human health or the environment.
To ensure that hazardous waste is safely and responsibly disposed of, there are several regulations that need to be complied with. Organisations that produce over 500kg of hazardous waste must register with the Environment Agency in Wales.
There are also many household products that are considered hazardous and must comply with regulations of separation from normal waste to ensure safe disposal.
A chemical waste may be classified as hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
- Ignitability – waste that is flammable and can sustain combustion
- Corrosivity – waste that can readily corrode or dissolve materials that it meets
- Reactivity – waste that can readily explode or undergo violent reactions
- Toxicity – waste that can cause physiological damage if ingested or inhaled
What Can Be Considered Hazardous Waste?
Examples of hazardous waste include aerosols, batteries e.g. lead acid batteries, chemical waste e.g. brake fluid or print toner, consumer electronics, computers, televisions, fuel, fluorescent lights, oils e.g. car engine oil and pesticides.