Waste of Industries: A Guide to Definitions, Types, & Solutions
Introduction
The waste of industries—sometimes called industrial refuse or factory waste—is one of the largest and least understood contributors to global waste streams. While municipal solid waste (household trash) often dominates public discussion, the reality is that industrial waste represents over 50% of total solid waste generated in the United States each year (EPA, 2023).
Understanding what industrial waste is, how it is defined, its types, examples, and hazards is critical for policymakers, businesses, and sustainability professionals. This article provides a fact-based overview of industrial waste—including industrial solid waste, hazardous materials, and byproducts—and explores how organizations like Waste Optima are helping industries divert these materials into productive use.
What Is Industrial Waste?
Definition of Industrial Waste
Industrial waste is defined as any material that is discarded from manufacturing or industrial processes and has no immediate economic value to the generator. According to the EPA, industrial solid waste includes non-hazardous byproducts such as scrap metals, plastics, glass, chemicals, sludges, and food processing residuals.
Put simply, when we ask “what are industrial waste” or “what is industrial waste”, the meaning of industrial waste is:
“Any unwanted or residual material produced as a direct result of industrial activity.”
Industrial Solid Waste Definition
The term industrial solid waste refers specifically to non-hazardous refuse, in contrast to industrial hazardous waste, which includes materials like solvents, heavy metals, or toxic byproducts that require specialized handling and treatment.
Examples of industrial solid waste include:
For reference, U.S. industries generate over 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste annually (EPA).
Where Does Industrial Waste Come From?
The sources of waste from factories and industrial plants vary by sector. Broadly, industrial wastes are generated from:
Manufacturing processes – e.g., excess metal, polymer purgings, off-spec runs.
Energy production – e.g., fly ash, bottom ash, flue gas desulfurization sludge.
Food and agriculture – e.g., soybean hulls, whey, bakery waste.
Chemical processing – e.g., solvents, catalysts, byproduct salts.
Mining and mineral refining – e.g., tailings, slag, red mud.
Types of Industrial Waste
Industrial waste types are typically divided into two main categories:
1. Non-Hazardous Industrial Solid Waste
Metals and alloys
Paper, cardboard, and packaging materials
Plastics (polypropylene, PET, HDPE)
Construction debris (gypsum, slag, aggregates)
Organic residues (corncobs, soybean hulls)
2. Hazardous Industrial Waste
Heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury)
Combustible dusts (titanium, aluminum, grain)
Solvents (acetone, MEK, toluene)
Acids and caustics
Toxic byproducts (dioxins, cyanides)
The hazards of industrial waste arise when toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials enter the environment. Improper disposal can contaminate soil and groundwater or release harmful emissions into the air.
Examples of Industrial Waste
Industrial Waste Examples by Sector
Steel industry: Slag, mill scale, refractory bricks
Food processing: Bakery residuals, whey protein byproducts
Electronics: E-waste (circuit boards, chips)
Plastics manufacturing: Offcuts, purgings, pellet fines
Pharmaceuticals: Solvents, off-spec batches, filter media
Each industrial waste example shows how byproducts are often predictable in both volume and composition—an advantage when designing recycling and reuse programs.
U.S. Industrial Waste Statistics
Industrial solid waste accounts for more than 50% of total U.S. waste volumes.
Industrial hazardous waste exceeds 35 million tons annually, managed under RCRA permits (EPA, 2022).
Landfill tipping fees for industrial wastes average $60–$80 per ton, creating strong economic incentives for recovery solutions.
Hazards of Industrial Waste
Not all industrial refuse is dangerous, but toxic waste from factories presents serious risks:
Soil and water contamination: Heavy metals and solvents can persist for decades.
Air quality hazards: Combustible dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose risks to workers and communities.
Biodiversity impacts: Leachates and emissions disrupt ecosystems.
Human health effects: Exposure can lead to cancer, respiratory illness, or neurological damage.
This is why industrial hazardous waste must be carefully segregated, stored, transported, and treated.
Industrial Waste Treatment and Recovery
Industrial Solid Waste Treatment
Treatment depends on waste characteristics, but common methods include:
Recycling and reuse – scrap metals, plastics, paper.
Energy recovery – converting organics into fuel or biogas.
Stabilization/solidification – binding contaminants into stable forms for disposal.
Landfilling – the last resort for non-recoverable wastes.
Industrial Byproducts and Waste Recovery
Many industrial by-products and waste streams can be converted into secondary products. For example:
Fly ash into concrete additives.
Bakery waste into livestock feed.
Aluminum hydroxide into flame-retardant plastics.
Waste Optima specializes in these waste-to-value approaches, building networks of buyers for materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Where Does Industrial Waste Go?
In the U.S., industrial solid waste follows several pathways:
Recycling markets – e.g., metals, plastics, glass.
Beneficial reuse – e.g., slag in cement, organics in agriculture.
Waste-to-energy plants – limited capacity but growing interest.
Hazardous waste TSDFs (Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities).
Landfills – still the dominant destination, though costly and unsustainable.
The industrial solid waste examples that find reuse markets help industries lower disposal costs while reducing environmental footprints.
The Business Case for Reducing Waste of Industries
Cost savings: Recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than virgin production.
Revenue generation: Byproducts sold as feedstock create new income streams.
Compliance: Staying ahead of regulatory pressure reduces liability.
Sustainability goals: Many corporations now report industrial recycling metrics as part of ESG disclosures.
According to a 2024 industry survey, 70% of U.S. manufacturers identified waste reduction as a key driver of operational efficiency.
Global Outlook on Industrial Wastes
Asia: China generates 3.5 billion tons of industrial solid waste annually, much of it from coal combustion.
Europe: The EU’s Waste Framework Directive mandates recovery and recycling wherever feasible.
U.S.: Industrial waste regulation falls under RCRA, with states having significant oversight roles.
As landfill space declines and carbon targets rise, industries worldwide are moving from “end-of-pipe” disposal toward circular recovery models.
Conclusion
The waste of industries represents one of the largest hidden challenges—and opportunities—of modern economies. While the definition of industrial waste includes both hazardous and non-hazardous streams, the key is not just management but recovery and reuse.
By partnering with organizations like Waste Optima, companies can transform their industrial solid waste into valuable resources, cutting costs while advancing sustainability goals.
Waste less. Profit more. Build for the long term.
