What does "remediation" entail in hazardous waste management?

Remediation in hazardous waste management refers specifically to the process of cleaning up contamination from soil and groundwater. This process is crucial in addressing the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with hazardous waste sites. Remediation techniques can include various approaches such as excavation, bioremediation, chemical treatment, or containment, all aimed at restoring the contaminated environment to a safe state for human use and ecological health.

The significance of remediation lies in its role in reducing risks to public health and the environment by effectively managing and mitigating the dangers posed by hazardous waste. This concept is vital for protecting ecosystems and communities that may be affected by contaminated sites, making it an essential component of hazardous waste management practices.

The other options highlight important aspects of waste management but do not define remediation itself. Marketing recycled materials, the development of new disposal technologies, and regulations surrounding hazardous waste transportation are all integral to the broader field of hazardous waste management but do not specifically address the cleanup and restoration of contaminated environments, which is the core activity encompassed by the term "remediation."