A significant category of waste consists of chemical residues, which are typically classified as hazardous waste. It is prohibited to dispose of these substances with general municipal waste or down the drain.
Waste classified as hazardous must be collected separately and delivered by the generator to authorized disposal companies. Waste generators must also provide appropriate information regarding the type of hazardous waste.
Depending on the type of waste, certain limit values for chemical components and their properties must be met.
Substances that can only be disposed of at very high cost should be avoided and, whenever possible, replaced with suitable alternatives that can be disposed of more economically and in an environmentally friendly manner.
The following would be considered hazardous waste:
Inorganic acids, acid mixtures, and mordants
Bases, alkaline mixtures, and mordants
Wash and rinse water containing metal salts
Alkali metal residues
Heavy metals
Wastes containing mercury (elemental Hg)
Solutions and wastes containing silver
Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides
Solvents, non-halogenated
Solvents, halogenated
Gas cartridges