Classification of Solid Waste.

Classification by State

A waste is defined by state according to the physical state in which it is found. There
are therefore three types of waste from this point of view: solid, liquid and gaseous. It
is important to note that the real scope of this classification can be set in purely
descriptive terms or, as is done in practice, according to the associated form of
management. For example, a drum with used oil that is considered waste is basically a
liquid, but its handling will be like a solid since it is transported in trucks and not by a
hydraulic driving system.

In general, a waste can also be characterized by its composition and generation

characteristics.

CLASSIFICATION BY ORIGIN

Waste can be defined by the activity that originates it, essentially it is a sectoral
classification.

In practice, this definition has no limits in terms of the level of detail that can be
reached in it.
Most important types of waste:

Commercial Solid Waste: waste generated in commercial and commercial

establishments, such as warehouses, warehouses, hotels, restaurants, cafes and
market places.

Household Solid Waste: waste that, due to its nature, composition, quantity and
volume, is generated in activities carried out in homes or in any similar establishment.

Agricultural Waste: those generated by the raising of animals and the production,
harvesting and mowing of crops and trees, which are not used to fertilize soils.

Biomedical Waste: those generated during the diagnosis, treatment, provision of

medical services or immunization of human beings or animals, in research related to
their production or in trials with biomedical products.

Construction or Demolition Waste: waste that results from the construction,

remodeling and repair of buildings or the demolition of pavements, houses,
commercial buildings and other structures.

Industrial Waste: waste generated in industrial activities, as a result of production

processes, maintenance of equipment and facilities, and pollution treatment and
control.

Special Solid Waste: solid waste that due to its quality, quantity, magnitude, volume or
weight may present dangers and, therefore, requires special handling. It includes
waste with expired consumption periods, waste from establishments that use
dangerous substances, sludge, bulky or heavy waste that, with authorization or
illegally, is managed jointly with municipal solid waste.

Municipal Solid Waste: solid or semi-solid waste from urban activities in general. It can
have residential or domestic origin, commercial, institutional, small industry or
sweeping and cleaning of streets, markets, public areas and others. Its management is
the responsibility of the municipality or another government authority. Synonymous
with garbage and solid waste.

Biodegradable Waste: all waste that can decompose aerobically or anaerobically, such
as food and garden waste.

Bulky Waste: are those materials of domestic origin that, due to their shape, size or
weight, are difficult to be collected or transported by conventional collection services.

CLASSIFICATION BY TYPE OF DRIVING

Waste can be classified by having some characteristics associated with the
management that must be carried out:

Hazardous waste: These are wastes that by their nature are inherently dangerous to
handle and/or dispose of and can cause death, illness; or that are dangerous to health
or the environment when handled inappropriately.

Solid Hospital Waste: waste that, due to its characteristics and composition, can be a
reservoir or vehicle of infection in humans.

Toxic Solid Waste: waste that due to its physical or chemical characteristics,
depending on its concentration and exposure time, can cause damage and even death
to living beings or can cause environmental contamination.

Inert waste: Waste that is stable over time, which will not produce appreciable
environmental effects when interacting with the environment.

Non-hazardous waste: None of the above. NON-HAZARDOUS solid waste is considered

to be waste from residential homes, private and public service sites, demolitions and
constructions, commercial establishments and services that do not have harmful
effects on human health.
We have also organized the main waste producers: Solid Waste Production

The accumulation of solid domestic waste today constitutes an overwhelming problem

in large cities. The increase in population, along with the development of the
urbanization process, growing consumerism, the intensity of propaganda and
advertising, etc. determines an incessant increase in the weight and volume of the
waste produced.

Industrial waste is that generated by large industries. They have very special
characteristics, which allow a more detailed classification, according to their degree of:
corrosivity, flammability, toxicity, reactivity and pathogenicity.

The use and disposal of these products contaminates our soil, water and air, our food
and alters the ecosystems on which we depend for our subsistence. 90% of the
garbage we produce is thrown in landfill sites, where rats, insects, etc. proliferate,
becoming sources of infection.

Lately, biodegradable products have been found in landfills that did not suffer the
expected degradation, which would be caused by the high level of compaction that
takes place and soil contamination.

Knowledge of the composition of waste is of great importance when making decisions

for choosing the treatment system. The composition of MSW is enormously variable
and is influenced by a series of very diverse factors.

It can be said that the composition of MSW is a consequence of:

· The characteristics of the population: depending on whether it is urban or rural,
whether it has mainly residential areas, whether it is tourist or industrial, etc.
· The time of waste production: climate and seasons influence the composition of
waste.
· The social level of the population.

· The consumption habits of the population.

The amount of garbage generated also depends on consumption habits and the degree
of consideration of citizens regarding the environmental problems that this waste
causes. In Balcarce the figure is around 1.9 Kg.

The composition of this type of garbage in our city reveals the following: almost 50% is
made up of organic matter; paper and cardboard account for 20%; glass almost 8%;
plastics 7%; 4% are metals and the rest is made up of wood, textiles, leather, rubber,
ceramics, ashes and various products. Batteries can be included in this last section,
which is a very important source of pollution for the environment, due to its content of
lead, cadmium, and other metals.
Since the volume of waste and its composition are factors that basically depend on the
citizen's consumption habits, the current trend aims, as an additional measure, to
modify the latter to tackle the problem at its base.

Some of the products that we normally throw away carelessly:

· Paint and its derivatives

· Tires

· Batteries

· Plastic bags

· Cleaning products and insecticides

· Fabrics

· Lubricating oil additives

· Paper production

· Glass production

· The amount of MSW produced by a group is highly variable and depends, among
other factors, on the following:

· Population's standard of living: MSW production increases with the standard of

living (see table).

· Time of year: generally it is minimum in summer for the same population.

· Way of life of the population: rural or urban.

Origins of waste due to natural causes

The dirtying of urban centers is due to causes that are directly related to man and his
activities of transportation, construction, commerce, etc., and to causes derived from the
cycle of nature. The human causes are due to two sociocultural reasons: on the one hand,
the relative historical lack of municipal ordinances and legislation to address the problem;
on the other, the very character of society and the way of seeing and understanding
environmental problems. Among natural causes, climate is a conditioning factor. In Spain,
urban activity takes place on public roads at levels much higher than the European average
in at least a third of urban centers throughout the year, and practically all of them during
the warm months; The consequence that follows is a greater degree of fouling. The
country's low rainfall level also contributes to poor natural cleanliness.

The full interaction of natural elements with citizen activity affects the composition of road
solid waste, so that in its analysis fractions of clear identification can be observed, but also
a good number in which it is difficult to specify their origin and nature. .

The diversity of polluting sources according to cities, urban areas and towns, depending on
commercial activity, climate and level of rainfall, industry and, above all, habits and
customs, marks the different levels of road waste production. The Spanish average of
these levels is estimated at:

The urban ecosystem produces waste that can be classified by its origin into:

 Sedimentable particles from the atmosphere.

 Lands and sands.

 Natural waste.

 Sedimentable particles from the atmosphere. In the atmosphere there are

suspended particles that are due in part to natural causes, such as erosion,
forest fires, rain, etc. They settle in the soil depending on their composition and
size, the level of rainfall that washes them away and other factors, being one of
the causes of dirt in urban centers. Particles close to 10 microns in diameter
have a low sedimentation power, but those larger than 20 microns are
 deposited very easily, and it must be taken into account that a high percentage
of this type of waste exceeds 300 microns in diameter.

 Earth and sand from the atmosphere. Drags of various types move and deposit
earth and sand on the pavements, constituting another source of dirt. Weather
phenomena transport particles of sand and mud; In other cases, vehicles, after
passing through undeveloped land, produce a similar effect. Works on public
roads, construction, debris removal and transportation also contribute to the
dispersion of soil and sand.

 Natural waste from urban fauna and flora. They are caused by natural
processes that arise from the scarce wildlife that exists in the urban
environment. The plant species that grow in cities generate pollution. Flowers,
seeds, leaves, branches and bark break off, fall to the ground and join other
waste from citizen activity. The amounts vary depending on climate and extent
of green area, among other factors.

In the same way, and without considering the fauna created by man, there are thousands
of species of insects, mammals, birds and other non-domestic animals that have their
natural habitat in urban centers. The towers and belfries of many churches are nesting and
breeding areas for the kestrel; With the arrival of spring, the swift appears in city squares,
its excrement becoming a serious dirty problem. Likewise, sparrows, blackbirds, pigeons,
storks and other species that naturally accompany man cause fouling as a consequence of
their biological processes. This waste, once deposited on urban roads, undergoes a rapid
transformation process due to the abrasion produced by the passage of pedestrians and
vehicles, so that its size is reduced and it becomes integrated with the remains of urban
activities.
 Waste: an updated analysis of the future of solid waste management

“Do not waste to avoid shortages.” This old saying has a lot of validity at this
time when world leaders, as well as local communities, increasingly call for
amending the so-called “disposable culture.” But beyond what it represents
for people and households, waste is also a broader challenge that affects
human health and livelihoods, the environment and prosperity.

Solid waste management is a universal problem that concerns every

inhabitant of the planet. And with more than 90% of waste dumped or
burned openly in low-income countries, it is the poor and most vulnerable
who are most affected.

In recent years, landfill slides have buried homes and people under piles of
waste. And it is the poorest who often live near garbage dumps and feed
their city's recycling system through waste collection, leaving them
susceptible to serious health consequences.

“Inadequate waste management is causing pollution of the world's oceans,

clogging drains and causing flooding, transmitting diseases, increasing
respiratory conditions due to burning, harming animals that consume waste,
and affecting economic development. , for example, by harming tourism,”
said Sameh Wahba, director of Urban and Territorial Development, Disaster
Risk Management, and Resilience at the World Bank.

Greenhouse gases from waste are a key contributor to climate change. In

2016, 5% of global emissions came from solid waste management, not
including transportation.

“Solid waste management concerns everyone. Ensuring effective and

appropriate management of solid waste is crucial to achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, Senior Director of
Social, Urban and Rural Development and Resilience Global Practice at the
World Bank. “ Without waste management, dumping or burning harms
human health, damages the environment, affects the climate, and hinders
economic development in both poor and rich countries alike .”

What a Waste 2.0 Report

While this is an issue that people are aware of, waste generation is increasing
at an alarming rate. Countries are developing rapidly without having
established adequate systems to manage the different composition of waste
produced by citizens. Cities, where more than half of human beings live and
where more than 80% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) is
generated, are in a vanguard position when it comes to facing the challenge
of waste worldwide.

According to the World Bank report titled What a Waste 2.0 , (i) 2010 million
tons of municipal solid waste are generated annually in the world , and at
least 33% of it is not managed without risk to the environment. environment.

The 2018 report, which is an update from a previous edition, projects that
rapid urbanization, population growth and economic development will cause
the amount of waste globally to increase by 70% over the next 30 years and
reach a staggering volume of 3.4 billion tons of waste generated annually.

How much garbage does that number represent?

Take the case of plastic waste, which is filling the oceans and making up 90%
of marine debris. In 2016 alone, 242 million tons of plastic waste were
generated worldwide , the equivalent of about 24 billion 500 ml plastic
bottles. With the volume of water from these bottles, 2,400 Olympic
stadiums, 4.8 million Olympic swimming pools, or 40,000 bathtubs could be
filled. This number of tons is also equivalent to the weight of 3.4 million adult
blue whales or a set of 1,376 Empire State buildings.

And that is only 12% of the total waste generated annually.

In addition to global trends, What a Waste 2.0 (i) presents the state of solid
waste management in each region. For example, the East Asia and Pacific
region currently generates the most waste, 23%, globally. And although only
16% of the world's population lives in high-income countries, these nations
together generate almost a third (34%) of the world's waste.

As waste generation is expected to increase with economic development and

population growth, lower middle-income countries are likely to see the
largest increase in waste production. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are
the fastest growing regions, where total waste generation is projected to
triple and more than double, respectively, by 2050, making up 35% of global
waste . In the Middle East and North Africa region, waste generation is also
expected to double by 2050.

Upper-middle-income and high-income countries provide nearly universal

waste collection services, and more than a third of high-income countries'
waste is recovered through recycling and composting. In low-income
countries, about 48% of waste is collected in cities, but only 26% in rural
areas, and only 4% is recycled nationally. Overall, 13.5% of waste globally is
recycled and 5.5% is composted.
In China , (i) a results-based incentive program has led to the separation of
waste from residential kitchens. The $80 million loan has also supported the
construction of a modern anaerobic digestion facility for fermentation and
energy recovery from organic waste, which will benefit 3 million people.

In Nepal , (PDF) a US$4.3 million results-based financing project increased

user fees and improved waste collection services in five municipalities,
benefiting 800,000 residents.

Reducing carbon emissions, increasing resilience

Without improvements in the sector, emissions related to solid waste will
likely increase to 2.6 billion tonnes of CO 2 equivalent by 2050. Improving
waste management will help cities become more resilient to climate
conditions extremes that cause flooding, damage infrastructure, displace
communities and destroy their livelihoods.

In Pakistan , a US$5.5 million project supported a composting facility in

Lahore in developing the market and selling emission reduction credits under
the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC). The activities resulted in reductions of 150,000 tonnes of
CO 2 equivalent and an increase in the volume of daily compost production
from 300 to 1,000 tonnes.

In Vietnam , investments in solid waste management are helping the city of

Can Tho avoid clogging of drains that could cause flooding. Similarly, in the
Philippines , investments are helping Metro Manila reduce the risk of
flooding by minimizing solid waste ending up in waterways. By focusing on
better collection systems, community-based approaches, and the provision
of incentives, investments in solid waste management are helping to reduce
marine litter, particularly in Manila Bay.

WASHINGTON, September 20, 2018 – According to the new World Bank

report What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to
2050 (i) 2050), if urgent action is not taken, by 2050 global waste will grow by
70% compared to current levels.

The report predicts that global waste generation, driven by rapid

urbanization and population growth, will increase from 2.01 billion tons in
2016 to 3.4 billion tons over the next 30 years.
High-income countries, while representing 16% of the world's population,
generate more than a third (34%) of the world's waste. The East Asia and
Pacific region generates almost a quarter (23%) of the total. Likewise, waste
generation in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia is expected to triple and
more than double, respectively, by 2050.

Plastics are especially problematic. If not collected and managed properly,

they will pollute and affect waterways and ecosystems for hundreds, if not
thousands, of years. According to the report, 242 million tons of plastic waste
were generated in the world in 2016, representing 12% of total solid waste.

What a Waste 2.0 highlights that solid waste management, although an

essential element of sustainable, healthy and inclusive cities, is often
overlooked, especially in low-income countries. While in high-income
countries more than a third of waste is recovered through recycling and
composting, in low-income countries only 4% of waste is recycled.

Based on the volume of waste generated, its composition and the way it is
managed, it is estimated that in 2016 the treatment and disposal of waste
generated the emission of 1.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent,
which represents around 5 % of global emissions.

“Poor waste management is harming human health and local environments,

while exacerbating the challenges posed by climate change,” said Laura Tuck,
World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development . “Unfortunately,
the poorest in society are often the most harmed by poor waste
management. But things don't have to be this way. The resources we have
need to be continually used and reused, so they don't end up in landfills.”

The report notes that having adequate waste management systems is

essential to building a circular economy, in which products are designed and
optimized to be reused and recycled. As national and local governments shift
to the circular economy, incorporating smart and sustainable ways of
managing waste will help promote efficient economic growth and minimize
environmental impact.

“Proper waste management makes economic sense,” said Silpa Kaza, an

urban development specialist at the World Bank and lead author of the
report . “Uncollected and poorly disposed waste has a significant impact on
public health. The cost of addressing this impact is much higher than that of
developing and operating simple and adequate waste management systems.
The solutions exist and we can help countries find them.”
It is essential to support countries in making crucial decisions related to solid
waste management policy, financing and planning. Solutions include:

 provide financing to the countries most in need, especially the fastest

growing ones, to develop advanced waste management systems;

 support major waste-generating countries so they can reduce plastic

consumption and marine debris through comprehensive recycling and
waste reduction programs;

 reduce food waste through consumer education, organic waste

management and coordinated food waste management programs.

Since 2000, the World Bank has committed more than $4.7 billion to more
than 340 solid waste management programs in countries around the world.

What a Waste 2.0 (i) was funded by the Government of Japan through the
World Bank's Tokyo Development Learning Center.