Skip to main content

Learn about hazardous waste

A waste collection truck driving past residential homes
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Learn about hazardous waste

When you hear the words "hazardous waste" you probably think of a giant vat or a metal barrel with a big danger sign plastered across it.  Most hazardous waste comes from factories, however even offices, hospitals, schools, and retail stores generate hazardous waste. It is important that these wastes are properly managed to keep us safe.

Hazardous waste 101 Video

Hazardous waste 101

Get the basics on what hazardous waste is, what regulations are in place to protect us and our environment, and more in this short 3-minute video.

No time for a video? No problem - everything in the video is on the page below, along with additional information on household hazardous waste, our popular waste webinar series, and several robust FAQ on different types of waste. Keep scrolling!

What makes something a hazardous waste?

If it's toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive, it is probably considered a hazardous waste.

  • A bottle with skull and crossbones

    Toxic

    A toxic waste can make someone sick if it is swallowed or absorbed through the skin. 

    Parts of common items like fluorescent lightbulbs and electronics can be toxic.

  • A lit matchstick

    Ignitable

    An ignitable waste is a by-product or material that can easily catch on fire or burns. 

    Gasolines and paint thinners are easy examples of this.

  • A hand dipped in a jar of corrosive acid, the skin is burning

    Corrosive

    Corrosive wastes can cause severe chemical burns or easily eat through metal.

    Certain strong cleansers and acids can do this.

  • A bundle of dynamite with a lit fuse

    Reactive

    Reactive wastes can be unstable under normal conditions and can create explosions or cause toxic fumes, gases, or vapors.

    Examples of this include gunpowder and fireworks.

Hazardous waste laws

There are strict laws in place for managing the disposal of hazardous waste. These rules include requirements for labeling, transporting, treating, storing, and disposal of these wastes.

Most hazardous waste generated from businesses can only be stored, treated, or disposed at highly engineered, specially licensed hazardous waste facilities -- whose license specifies design and operating requirements that must be met to ensure the materials are handled in a way that protects people and our environment. 

While hazardous waste that comes from our homes is not subject to these stringent rules, it's still best to keep these wastes out of our landfills. Local governments often offer household hazardous waste collections, where residents can bring old paint, lawn chemicals, mercury thermostats and more. Some retailers even accept items like batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, medications, and electronics to prevent them from going to our landfills.

We all need to work together to ensure hazardous waste whenever generated is managed in the best possible way.

Other harmful wastes

You may have noticed the definition of hazardous waste does not include every kind of waste that may be harmful. Radioactive materials, medical waste, and solid waste are dealt with under different laws than hazardous waste. 

Multi-category hazardous waste

Sometimes a waste can fall into more than one category and must be managed for all its hazardous properties. This is called multi-category hazardous waste. In addition to these four categories, the law also includes lists of wastes that come from certain kinds of businesses and are considered hazardous.

These lists include solvents, wastes from petroleum refining, wood preserving, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and more.

  • An open can of blue paint with a used paint roller resting on top

    What is "household hazardous waste"?

    Household hazardous waste includes products that we purchase and use every day in our homes that can harm us or the environment if they are not handled properly. To find out if a product you own is considered hazardous waste when discarded, check the label for words such as 'warning,' 'caution,' 'flammable,' 'toxic,' 'poison,' 'corrosive,' 'oxidizer,' etc. 

    Visit our household hazardous waste to learn more about the different types of household hazardous waste and the hazards they may present.

    Types of household hazardous waste

Frequently asked questions

Waste webinar series

We run a webinar series specifically on waste, with many sessions focusing on hazardous waste.

While anyone is welcome to watch these recordings, they are mostly geared towards small businesses and industries that must comply with hazardous waste regulations.

Check the summary of each session to determine if it's right for you!

EGLE Waste Webinar Series