Solid Waste : Definition, Types and Sources

Solid waste consists of household waste, commercial waste, institutional waste, construction and demolition debris, sanitation residue, e-waste, industrial waste etc.

Source : https://www.qv21.com/blog/solid-waste-transportation-methods

Types of solid wastes

1. Biodegradable waste – Biodegradable waste is a type of waste, typically originating from plant or animal sources, which are degraded by other living organisms. Biodegradable waste is commonly found in municipal solid waste as green waste, food waste, paper waste and garden waste etc. Other biodegradable wastes include sewage sludge, slaughterhouse waste etc.
2. Non-biodegradable waste – Wastes which do not decompose naturally in the environment causes pollution and are also harmful to the living being and environment are called the non-biodegradable waste e.g. plastic, rubber, glass, metals, thermocol, e-waste etc.

Solid waste is further classified as –

• Wet waste – Wet waste is biodegradable waste which includes cooked and uncooked food, fruits, vegetable peels, garden waste and other organically decomposable waste. It is used to make compost and bio-gas.
• Dry waste – Items like aluminium foils, tetra packs, glass, paper, plastics, metals etc. come under the dry waste category. It is mostly used for recycling.

Sources of solid waste

• Domestic waste – Waste from home includes organic matter like vegetable peels, spoiled food, glass products, packaging material like cardboard, plastic bags, foam, electronic waste and furniture etc.
• Agricultural waste – Crop residue, waste from processing of crops, excreta of animals.
• Commercial waste – This consists of packaging material, discarded office equipment, furniture, e-waste etc.
• Biomedical waste – It comes from clinics, pathology labs and hospitals. It mainly consists of infectious waste, sharps like needles, knives, dressings, body parts and expired medicines etc.
• E-waste – E-waste is generated from used electronic devices and household appliances. E-waste has been categorized into three main categories, viz. large household appliances, IT telecom and consumer equipment, Refrigerators and washing machines represent large household appliances. Personal computer, monitor and laptop represent IT and telecom, while television, mobile phones represents consumer equipment.
• Industrial waste – It is produced by industrial activities. It includes material rendered useless during manufacturing processes. Waste generation and its management is becoming a universal problem. Waste accumulation leads to spoilage of landscape and creation of health hazards. It has adverse impacts on terrestrial and aquatic life. Lack of space for disposal of garbage leads to air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, affecting life on earth.

Thus there is a need for more sustainable ways for management of waste to save the environment. There are two ways to solve the problem –

1. To reduce generation of waste.
2. To extract maximum benefit from the waste generated or produced.