What is hazardous waste?

There is hazardous waste all around us – in our homes, at workplaces and in industry. It can be anything from batteries and electronic components to waste oil, solvents and chemicals. The common denominator is that they contain substances that can be harmful to both health and the environment. But hazardous waste is not just a problem – handled correctly, it can also be a resource.

29 Apr 2025

Innovation

We can’t recycle everything – yet

Not all waste can be recycled right away. Many materials contain toxins such as heavy metals, chemicals or other hazardous components that risk being spread if they are not first detoxified. This requires a two-step process:

Detoxify – To make hazardous waste non-hazardous, the harmful substances must be neutralised or separated from the rest of the material. This is called detoxification.
Recycle – Once hazardous substances have been removed, the non-hazardous residues can be recycled and reused.

In other words, detoxification is a necessary step for us to be able to recycle more of our hazardous waste in the future. In the short term, it’s about removing or neutralising hazardous substances already present in society. This reduces the risk of emissions and the spreading of toxins that can harm both people and the environment. In the long term, it’s about developing new technologies and processes to make even more of the hazardous waste recyclable.

Hazardous waste piled in safe containers at Ragn-Sells waste facility

Examples of hazardous waste

Electronic waste – Contains heavy metals such as lead and mercury that must be dealt with before the metals can be recycled.
Batteries – Contain cadmium, lithium and other substances that require special handling to ensure that they do not leak out and harm the environment.
Waste oil and solvents – Can contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals but can be recycled if they are first treated and separated from contaminants.

Why safe handling is important

As the term suggests, hazardous waste can cause major environmental problems if not handled correctly. Heavy metals can leak out into the ground and water, chemicals can spread as gases in the air, and some substances never degrade, but remain in ecosystems for a very long time. Safe handling and detoxification enable these risks to be minimised – while we also create opportunities to recycle more in the future!

What is Ragn-Sells doing?

Ragn-Sells offers both safe handling and detoxification of hazardous waste. Investments in advanced treatment technology and innovative processes enable hazardous substances to be separated and rendered harmless, so that the rest of the material can be recycled. In this way, we contribute to a circular future in which resources are utilised – without compromising either the environment or health.

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