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

See Examples For:

hazardous waste

Gold is traditionally recovered either by smelting at very high temperatures or by using corrosive acid mixtures that generate hazardous waste.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Environment Agency, which is responsible for dealing with the largest and most hazardous waste dumps, said it dealt with 98 incidents last year.

From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2026

Manufacturing batteries is “extremely energy intensive,” involves more dangerous chemicals and results in more hazardous waste.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

At least 37 people were arrested Wednesday at a homeless encampment in Oxnard as officials worked on removing 33 tons of hazardous waste.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026

After Mrs. Tesla evacuated the lab and called the hazardous waste removal squad, she praised Tyson and me for being natural chemists.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan