Vital Waste Graphics 3

Hazardous waste Million tonnes

20

BASIC CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING

18

Major activities generating hazardous waste in the United States

16

resource demand, and of course, waste management, top the list of these chal- lenges. Cities concentrate a high level of economic activities, with higher incomes and therefore high levels of consumption. This, in turn, is reflected in the consider- able volume of waste produced annually compared to other areas. Beyond volume, amatter of content: the threat of hazardous wastes Hidden in the global trend, hazardous waste generation poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. In addition, despite the various regulations in place and the monitoring mechanisms they imply, no exhaustive data can cur- rently provide a clear overview of global hazardous waste generation, the exact sources and substances, the volumes and handling methods. Considering the sig- nificant potential for harm from hazard- ous waste, the present situation gives rise to legitimate concerns.

Only sectors generating more than 500 000 tonnes of hazardous waste in 2009 have been represented.

14

Source: US Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Repor t, US Environmental Protection Agency, 2010

12

2009

2001

10

8

PETROLEUM AND COAL PRODUCTS MANUFACTURING

WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL

6

IRON AND STEEL MILLS AND FERRO-ALLOY MANUFACTURING

4

NON-FERROUS METAL (INCLUDING ALUMINUM) PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING

SEMI-CONDUCTOR AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENT MANUFACTURING

2

0

Million tonnes 145

50

10

VITAL WASTE GRAPHICS 3 7