hazardous waste

American  

[haz-er-duhs weyst] / ˈhæz ər dəs ˈweɪst /

noun

1. any industrial by-product or discarded commercial product that is potentially harmful to the environment or people and other living organisms because it is ignitable, corrosive, reactive, and/or toxic.

   You can’t throw these flammable old cans of paint thinner in with your regular trash—they need to be treated as hazardous waste.

   We are in compliance with all state regulations that pertain to the containment and disposal of hazardous wastes.

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hazardous waste Scientific  

/ hăz′ər-dəs /

1. A used or discarded material that can damage the environment and be harmful to health. Hazardous wastes include heavy metals and toxic chemicals used in industrial products and processes as well as infectious medical wastes and radioactive materials such as spent nuclear fuel rods.

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Etymology

Origin of hazardous waste

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Superfund sites are locations polluted by hazardous waste that the Environmental Protection Agency has flagged for cleanup due to threats to human health or the environment.

From Science Daily

In March, the state agency released a draft of the first-ever hazardous waste management plan, drawing opposition for a controversial recommendation to consider allowing more contaminated soil to be dumped at nonhazardous landfills.

From Los Angeles Times

Because of California’s more stringent hazardous waste regulations, much more potentially dangerous waste needs to go to a specialized landfill or treatment facility than would be required by the federal government’s rules.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a loophole, which has also caused an uproar among environmental advocates: Oftentimes, industry and government agencies opt to export California hazardous waste waste to municipal landfills in neighboring states that rely on the less-restrictive federal rules.

From Los Angeles Times

A California environmental oversight board approved a state plan outlining strategies to safely reduce hazardous waste — despite sharp criticism from environmental groups who say several aspects of the plan could invite deregulation.

From Los Angeles Times