The cost of hazardous waste removal can be monumental, and the typical cleaning methods magnify the problem many times over because the cleaning materials -- water, solvents, sand etc. -- become secondary contamination once coming in contact with the primary contaminant. They must be treated as hazardous waste as well.

Since CO₂ sublimates upon contact with the target surface, no secondary waste accumulates. This can amount to truly tons of savings.

The volume of hazardous waste is reduced to minimal amounts, and the return on investment from converting over to dry ice blasting can be attained very, very quickly.