Solid Waste Management is defined as Waste (also known as rubbish, trash, refuse, garbage, junk) is any unwanted or useless materials OR Any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted and “A useless or profile less activity using or expanding or consuming thoughtlessly or carefully.”
Types Of Waste
- Solid waste
- Liquid waste
- Gaseous waste
- Biodegradable waste
- Chemical waste
- Commercial waste/Business waste
- Biomedical waste
- Bulky waste
Solid Waste: Wastes in solid forms, domestic, commercial and industrial wastes Examples: plastics , bottles, cans, papers, scrap iron, and other trash
Liquid Waste: wastes in liquid form Examples: domestic washings, chemicals, oils, waste water from ponds, manufacturing industries and other sources.
Bio-degradable: can be degraded (paper, wood, fruits and others)
Non-biodegradable : cannot be degraded (plastics, bottles, old machines, cans, Styrofoam containers and others)
Hazardous wastes: Substances unsafe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically and have any of the following properties- ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity & toxicity.
Non-hazardous: Substances safe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically and do not have any of those properties mentioned above. These substances usually create disposal problems.
Classification of wastes according to their origin and type
Municipal Solid wastes: Solid wastes that include household garbage, rubbish, construction & packaging materials, trade refuges, etc. are managed by any municipality.
Bio-medical wastes: Solid or liquid wastes including containers, and products generated during diagnosis, treatment & research activities of medical sciences.
Industrial wastes: Liquid and solid wastes that are generated by manufacturing & processing units of various industries like chemical, petroleum, coal, metal gas, sanitary & paper, etc.
Agricultural wastes: Wastes generated from farming activities. These substances are mostly biodegradable.
E-wastes: Electronic wastes generated from any modern establishments. They may be described as discarded electrical or electronic devices. Some electronic scrap components, such as CRTs, wires, circuits, mobile, computers, etc.
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