Chemical waste includes both the chemical byproducts of large manufacturing facilities and laboratories, as well as the smaller-scale solvents and other chemicals disposed of by households. Chemical waste may fall under the classification of hazardous waste depending on the nature of the chemicals – for example, chemicals such as ethanol and glycerol don’t require special disposal procedures. Health and safety legislation varies internationally, and dictates the manner in which chemical waste must be handled and disposed of. In the United States, chemical waste is regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as well as the Clean Water Act; while the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) regulates chemical waste in the UK.

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