Methods to Reduce the Production of Hazardous Waste

Toxic materials or substances contained in waste may be hazardous to your health. The effects of a toxin may not manifest immediately but can pose a threat to human health over time. Each year 5.5 billion metric tons--6 billion tons--of hazardous waste are produced--2 metric tons per person--in the USA, according to the Georgia Perimeter College website. The production of these toxic wastes can be minimized by changing the standard method of production.

Substitution of Materials or Components

• Choose nonhazardous or less hazardous alternative materials and components. Material change can reduce the waste generated from a product's use by the consumer. For example, use of a water-based paint rather than a solvent-based paint eliminates the need for flammable solvents, messy cleanups and volatile vapor emissions.

Recycling and Reuse of Materials

• Use materials that can be recycled and reused in a suitable condition, to reduce hazardous wastes, protect public health and the environment and reduce dependence on landfills and incinerators.

Enforcement of Government Regulations

• Governments should enforce strict regulations against the production of specific amounts of hazardous waste. Where the laws are flouted, stringent penalties should be imposed, according to an assessment by C. Visvanathan published on the website of the Asian Institute of Technology.

Substitution of Alternative Energy

• Minimize the use of fossil fuel and nuclear power, which produces hazardous, radioactive waste, and maximize the use of renewable solar energy, wind and flowing water.

Improve Quality Control

• Introduce more effective quality control procedures to reduce the amount of toxic waste and the number of defective products.