Chapter 1 Introduction to Solid Waste

1.1 Definition of waste

- OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development)
Unavoidable materials for which there is currently no near future
economic demand and for which treatment and /or disposal may be
required.
- UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)
Objects which the owner does not want, need or use any longer, which
require treatment and/or disposal

- European Community (Directive 75/442/EEC on Waste)

Any substance or object which the holder disposes of or is required to
dispose of pursuant to the provisions of the national law in force.

1.2 General waste Classification

a. Physical state
solid, liquid , gas

b. Original use
- e.g. solid waste (packaging waste, food waste, etc)

c. Material type/composition
glass, paper, etc

d. Physical properties
combustible, compostable, recyclable

e. Origin
domestic, commercial, agricultural, industrial, etc.

f. Safety level
hazardous, non-hazardous
1.3 Solid Waste Category
No Type
1 Agricultural
2 Mining and quarrying
3 Dredging spoils
4 Construction and demolition Building waste, mainly inert mineral or
5 Industrial
6 Energy production
7 Sewage sludge
8 Hazardous/special waste
9 Commercial
10 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Solid waste collected and controlled by
Description
Waste arising from agricultural
practices, especially livestock
production. Often either used (applied
to land) or treated in situ
Mainly inert mineral wastes; from coal
mining and mineral extraction
industries
Organic and mineral waste from
dredging operations
wood waste
Solid waste from industrial processes.
Sometimes will include energy
production industries
Solid waste from the energy production
industries, including fly ash from coal
burning
Organic solid waste, disposed of by
burning, dumping at sea (?), application
to land or composting. May result from
industrial or domestic waste water
treatment
Solid waste which can contain
substances that are dangerous to life is
termed as special waste (UK) or
Hazardous waste (EU)
Solid waste from offices, shops,
restaurants, etc. often included in MSW
the local authority or municipality and
typically consists of household waste,
commercial and institutional waste.