Treatment of Toxic Wastes

Abstract

Improving waste management to ensure resource recovery and responsible disposal requires us to consider all waste types. This extends beyond general household and commercial waste arising in daily life, which are typically deemed ‘non-hazardous’. This chapter discusses the definition of hazardous and toxic waste, including the properties which classify a solid or liquid waste as hazardous. Major sources of hazardous wastes are summarised here, and the prevailing options for management are explained. Hazardous waste, as with non-hazardous waste, needs to be handled in the most sustainable way that we can determine by avoiding direct disposal and maximising the recovery of resources, whilst ensuring that the potential impacts on environmental and human health are kept as low as reasonably practicable. The treatment options provided, including thermal and chemical processing, suit different types of waste (solid or liquid; combustible or non-combustible). Decisions based on an understanding of the waste are therefore important. Case studies are presented on specific wastes, treated wood and animal carcase, along with a case study which demonstrates the severe environmental consequences of poor hazardous waste management.