Which of the following is commonly considered when classifying waste as hazardous?

Classifying waste as hazardous primarily involves examining its physical and chemical properties. These characteristics determine how a waste material interacts with its environment, its potential to cause harm to human health, and its dangerousness if improperly handled or disposed of. Specific properties such as reactivity, toxicity, flammability, and corrosivity help in identifying whether the waste poses a threat and thus qualifies as hazardous.

For example, toxic chemicals can contaminate soil and water, corrosive materials can damage living tissue and metal containers, and flammable substances can ignite easily, leading to fires. Therefore, assessing these properties is crucial for protecting public health and the environment.

Other factors, such as volume of the waste, type of waste container, and distance from the source, may play roles in management and disposal strategies but are not primary criteria in the determination of whether the waste is hazardous. These aspects can influence how waste is handled post-classification but do not provide the critical information needed to classify the waste in the first instance.