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
1

Type
Agricultural

Description
Waste arising from agricultural
practices, especially livestock

Mining and quarrying

Dredging spoils

4
5

Construction and
demolition
Industrial

Energy production

Sewage sludge

Hazardous/special
waste

Commercial

10

Municipal Solid Waste

(MSW)

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
Building waste, mainly inert
mineral or 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
Solid waste collected and
controlled by the local authority
or municipality and typically
consists of household waste,

commercial and institutional

waste.