What defines hazardous waste?

The definition of hazardous waste is appropriately captured by the statement that it is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. This encompasses materials that exhibit characteristics such as toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, or reactivity, which can indeed cause harm if not managed properly.

Hazardous waste is not limited to a specific source; it can originate from various sectors, including industrial, commercial, and even residential activities. Its potential to harm human health or ecosystems makes it critical for such waste to be identified, managed, treated, and disposed of according to strict regulations to mitigate these risks.

In contrast, options that refer to waste that can be recycled, waste that is non-toxic and biodegradable, and waste generated from domestic sources only do not accurately capture the essence of hazardous waste. Recycling pertains to materials that can be repurposed, while non-toxic and biodegradable materials are not considered hazardous. Similarly, domestic waste can contain both hazardous and non-hazardous components, so limiting the definition to waste from domestic sources is insufficient and misleading.