AbstractAn often unavoidable consequence of the manufacture, of valuable products is the creation of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes. By “hazardous material’ is meant the commercial product—a commodity of value which has hazardous properties that may be essential to its effectiveness. “Hazardous wastes’ are byproducts that usually have little or no value to the company that generates them, but that usually result from manufacturing processes and must be managed to prevent injury to the public and the environment. (Of course, through the establishment of waste exchanges, one company's waste may become another company's feedstock, thereby eliminating or at least postponing the disposal problem.) The more stringent individual countries or regional groups of countries become in their regulation of hazardous wastes, the greater the incentive there is in those, countries to export wastes to nations where requirements are less rigorous. Thus, the development of a world policy on hazardous waste appears to be worthwhile, but in considering such a policy, it is essential to learn from the mistakes others have made.