What characterizes hazardous waste?

Hazardous waste is characterized by the residues that remain after a substance is no longer pure, indicating that it contains harmful properties or contaminated materials. This means that anything left over from a process that cannot be reused or recycled and poses a potential risk to human health or the environment qualifies as hazardous waste.

In many cases, these residues may include toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or other pollutants that require proper handling, storage, and disposal to prevent them from causing harm. Recognizing that hazardous waste can arise from various industrial processes is crucial for maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

The other options present misconceptions about hazardous waste. For example, while some waste can be reused, not all hazardous waste is recyclable or safe for reuse. Additionally, hazardous waste can consist of mixtures of substances rather than a single chemical compound. Lastly, the notion that hazardous waste is typically non-toxic and safe to handle contradicts fundamental definitions of hazardous materials, which inherently possess dangers to health and safety.