Hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment and generally exhibits one or more of the these characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity.

Examples of hazardous waste include waste pickle liquor from iron and steel manufacturing and certain electroplating sludges.

Many types of businesses generate hazardous waste.

Some are small companies that may be located in a community.

For example, the following types of businesses typically generate hazardous waste: dry cleaners, automobile repair shops, hospitals, exterminators, and photo processing centers.

Some hazardous waste generators are larger companies like chemical manufacturers, electroplating companies, and oil refineries..