Special types of regulated waste are the following:
- “Radioactive waste” (according to the General Radioactive Waste Plan PGRR) is any material or waste product that shows traces of radioactivity and for which no use is foreseen. Contaminated waste liquids and gases are included.
- “Sanitary waste” is all waste, whatever its State, generated in health centers, including packaging, and packaging waste, which contain or have contained them.
- “Construction and Demolition Waste” is waste of a fundamentally inert nature generated in excavation works, new construction, repair, remodeling, rehabilitation and demolition, including minor works and home repairs.
Radioactive waste is a type of hazardous waste that contains radioactive material. Radioactive waste is a result of many activities, including nuclear medicine, nuclear research, nuclear power generation, rare-earth mining, and nuclear weapons reprocessing.
A quantity of radioactive waste typically consists of a number of radionuclides, which are unstable isotopes of elements that undergo decay and thereby emit ionizing radiation, which is harmful to humans and the environment. Different isotopes emit different types and levels of radiation, which last for different periods of time.
Associated Hazard Warning Signs
The trefoil symbol used to indicate ionizing radiation.
2007 ISO radioactivity danger symbol intended for IAEA Category 1, 2 and 3 sources defined as dangerous sources capable of death or serious injury.
The dangerous goods transport classification sign for radioactive materials
Sanitary Waste means liquid or solid wastes originating solely from humans and human activities, such as wastes collected from toilets, showers, wash basins, sinks used for cleaning domestic areas, sinks used for food preparation, clothes washing operations, and sinks or washing machines where food and beverage serving dishes, glasses, and utensils are cleaned. This is includes menstrual waste (used panty liners, sanitary
pads and tampons) as well as used condoms, syringes, diapers, cotton
and bandages Sources of these wastes may include single or multiple residences, hotels and motels, restaurants, bunkhouses, schools, ranger stations, crew quarters, guard stations, campgrounds, picnic grounds, day-use recreation areas, other commercial facilities, and industrial facilities provided the waste is not mixed with industrial waste.
- Manufacturers of sanitary napkins take no responsibility for their product or its appropriate disposal.
- Sanitary waste is disposed with household waste, and pickers often handle it with
bare hands, to the detriment of their health and well-being.
- Burning sanitary napkins releases highly toxic dioxins, linked to a multitude of
- There is no system to check pollutants and gases released by low-cost, non-monitored,
- 23 million adolescent Indian girls drop out of school at puberty because they lack
adequate menstrual protection.
- Phase 1 of a menstrual health scheme for rural adolescent girls is expected to generate 90 million waste sanitary napkins in areas where there is no system for waste disposal
Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste
Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is generated from construction, renovation, repair, and demolition of houses, large building structures, roads, bridges, piers, and dams. C&D waste is made up of wood, steel, concrete, gypsum, masonry, plaster, metal, and asphalt.
Many construction managers don’t know where to start when it comes to recycling their C&D waste, but doing so is incredibly valuable. Landfill fees are continuing to climb, and consumers are more focused than ever on sustainability. Choosing not to recycle could cost more than you think.
There’s a better way to handle C&D waste than by simply sending it to a landfill. Here are just a few tips on where you can begin:
- Separate your materials in different containers to increase potential salvaging. Wood, concrete, masonry, asphalt, and masonry can all be recycled.
- Recognize the potential to cut costs through valuable commodities like steel, aluminum, copper, and brass.
- Discover tax breaks and attract new customers through LEED certification and recognition.
- Donate old materials to nonprofit organizations.