The sector that generates the most hazardous waste in the United States is basic chemical manufacturing. In 2021, this sector produced over 22 million tons worth of hazardous waste. Petroleum and coal products resulted in some 4.9 million tons of hazardous waste that year, while the waste treatment and disposal sector produced an additional 2.6 million tons.
Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021
(in million tons)
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Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021
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Hazardous waste management information is obtained from data reported by facilities that treated, stored, recycled or disposed of hazardous wastes during the reporting year. Federal regulations require large quantity generators (if the site generates 1,000 kg in any calendar month) to submit a report every two years regarding the nature, quantities and disposition of hazardous waste generated at their facility. Therefore, this statistic does not include all the hazardous waste generated in the United States.
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Environmental Protection Agency. (December 16, 2022). Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021 (in million tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267138/hazardous-waste-generation-in-the-united-states-by-top-industries/
Environmental Protection Agency. "Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021 (in million tons)." Chart. December 16, 2022. Statista. Accessed May 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267138/hazardous-waste-generation-in-the-united-states-by-top-industries/
Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021 (in million tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267138/hazardous-waste-generation-in-the-united-states-by-top-industries/
Environmental Protection Agency. "Hazardous Waste Produced by The Top Generating Industries in The United States from 2001 to 2021 (in Million Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Dec 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267138/hazardous-waste-generation-in-the-united-states-by-top-industries/
Environmental Protection Agency, Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021 (in million tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267138/hazardous-waste-generation-in-the-united-states-by-top-industries/ (last visited May 09, 2025)
Hazardous waste produced by the top generating industries in the United States from 2001 to 2021 (in million tons) [Graph], Environmental Protection Agency, December 16, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267138/hazardous-waste-generation-in-the-united-states-by-top-industries/
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