What distinguishes hazardous waste from solid waste?

The definition of hazardous waste is centered on its potential threat to human health and the environment. Hazardous waste typically contains harmful substances that pose risks such as toxicity, flammability, corrosiveness, or reactivity. This is what distinguishes it from solid waste, which is often less harmful. While solid waste can certainly produce environmental challenges, it generally does not contain the same level of potential hazards that can threaten public safety or the environment in the same way that hazardous waste can.

The other options do not accurately reflect the distinctions between these two waste categories. For instance, not all hazardous waste is biodegradable, and some solid wastes are also biodegradable. The claim that hazardous waste is always liquid and solid waste is always solid is misleading, as hazardous waste can be solid, liquid, or even gas, and solid waste can also include hazardous materials. Lastly, while some hazardous waste can be recycled, it is primarily characterized by its potential risks, and solid waste can also be recyclable or disposable. Thus, option B highlights the critical aspect of hazardous waste that sets it apart from solid waste.