And so are the wastes themselves. The OECD waste hierarchy shows the way out, by giving the highest priorities to reusing waste and, even better, cutting the amount that is produced in the first place. Clean technologies minimize waste and make better use of raw materials. Waste can become a resource. But some companies have advanced well down this road.
Many consumer products contain hazardous chemicals.
Such 'household chemical wastes' are increasing. There is little information about their extent, but The Netherlands is estimated to produce 41,000 tonnes of them a year. They are particularly important because they are usually disposed of as normal rubbish, without the special precautions laid down for hazardous wastes. Special care needs to be taken in disposing of them. Some countries segregate them from other household waste before sending it for disposal.