Composition
The composition of municipal waste varies greatly from country to country and changes significantly with time.
In countries which have a developed recycling culture, the waste stream consists mainly of intractable wastes such as plastic film, and un-recyclable packaging. At the start of the 20th century, the majority of domestic waste in the UK consisted of coal ash from open fires
In developed countries without significant recycling it predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and other miscellaneousness wastes from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources. Most definitions of municipal solid waste do not include industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, medical waste, radioactive waste or sewage sludge. Waste collection is performed by the municipality within a given area. The term residual waste relates to waste left from household sources containing materials that have not been separated out or sent for reprocessing. Waste can be classified in several ways but the following list represents a typical classification..
- Biodegradable waste: food and kitchen waste, green waste, paper (can also be recycled).
- Recyclable material: paper, glass, bottles, cans, metals, certain plastics, fabrics, clothes, batteries etc.
- Inert waste: construction and demolition waste, dirt, rocks, debris.
- Electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) - electrical appliances, TVs, computers, screens, etc.
- Composite wastes: waste clothing, Tetra Packs, waste plastics such as toys.
- Hazardous waste including most paints, chemicals, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, spray cans, fertilizer and containers
- Toxic waste including pesticide, herbicides, fungicides
- Medical waste.
Read more about this topic: Municipal Solid Waste
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