Here's why it's not considered waste:
* Essential for life: Oxygen is vital for respiration in most organisms, including plants themselves.
* Not a harmful product: Oxygen is not toxic or harmful to plants.
* Used in other processes: Plants can use oxygen for their own cellular respiration, particularly in the dark.
So, while oxygen is a byproduct of photosynthesis, it's not considered waste because it's essential for life and used in various biological processes.