The table provides information about the amount of hazardous waste produced in the USA, UK, and Malaysia, measured in million tons, while the pie charts illustrate how each country treats this waste through landfilling, recycling, or disposal.
Overall, the USA produces the largest quantity of dangerous waste and primarily uses landfilling as its treatment method. In contrast, the UK generates the least waste but recycles and disposes of it at higher rates. Malaysia produces a moderate amount of waste, with disposal being the most commonly used method.
In the USA, industrial chemicals and plastic bags account for the largest share of waste, at 50 and 60 million tons respectively. Clinical and electronic waste are also significant, at 28 and 14 million tons. The majority of this waste (45%) is sent to landfills, 30% is recycled, and 25% is disposed of using other techniques.
The UK produces far less hazardous waste overall, with 10 million tons of industrial chemicals, 9 million tons of clinical waste, 12 million tons of electronic waste, and 32 million tons of plastic bag waste. The UK has the highest recycling rate (40%), disposes of 45% of its waste, and uses landfills for only 15%.
Malaysia generates 50 million tons of plastic bag waste, 22 million tons of clinical waste, 20 million tons of industrial chemicals, and the lowest amount of electronic waste (7 million tons). The majority of Malaysian waste (45%) is disposed of, while 30% is landfilled and just 25% is recycled.