Waste Management Glossary

• See Articles  -  List of Tags, List of Categories, List of Articles, List of Glossaries, Nomenclature and Symbols

A

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Aerobic Composting  -  A method of com-posting organic wastes using bacteria that need oxygen. This requires that the waste be exposed to air, either via turning or by forcing air through pipes that pass through the material. 
• Aerobic Decomposition  -  Degradation of organic wastes in the presence of oxygen by microorganisms and bacteria, releasing carbon dioxide gas and heat and producing solid material (compost) that can be used as a soil amendment.  Processes include extended aeration, trickling filtration, and rotating biological contactors.
• Anaerobic  -  A life or process that occurs in, or is not destroyed by, the absence of oxygen.
• Anaerobic Digestion  -  Degradation of organic wastes in the absence of oxygen by microorganisms and bacteria, releasing methane that can be collected and used as a fuel and producing relatively inert solid materials that can be processed for use as a soil amendment.

B

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Backyard Composting  -  The homeowner’s practice of collecting leftover kitchen scraps (excluding meats and fats) and yard trimmings for decomposition in a private compost pile.  Backyard composters can use their compost as a soil enhancement for their gardens.
• Bag in Bag  -  Collection technique where plastic bags and wrap are bundled together inside another bag, and deposited in a recycling collection bin at curbside or store drop-off.
• Baghouse  -  A combustion plant emission control device that consists of an array of fabric filters through which flue gases pass in an incinerator flue.  Particles are trapped and thus prevented from passing into the atmosphere.
• Bale  -  Compacted bound cube of recyclable material.
• Biodegradable  -  Waste materials capable of being biologically decomposed by microorganisms and bacteria. 
• Biodegradable Material  -  Any organic material that can be broken down by microorganisms into simpler, more stable com-pounds.  Most organic wastes (food, paper) are biodegradable.
• Biodegradable Plastic  -  Degradable plastic in which degradation results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae.
• Biogas  -  A renewable energy source that is produced throughout the anaerobic digestion process.
• Bioreactor Landfill  -  Engineered landfill or landfill cell where liquid and gas are actively managed in order to accelerate or enhance biostabilization of waste.
• Bulky Waste  -  Large wastes such as appliances, furniture, and trees and branches, that cannot be handled by normal MSW processing methods.

C

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Carbon Footprint  -  Measure of impact activities have on the environment particularly climate change.  Carbon footprint relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and transportation, etc.  Carbon footprint is a measurement of greenhouse gases produced and has units of tons or kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent.
• Cogeneration  -  Production of both electricity and steam from one facility, from the same fuel source.
• Chemical Landfill  -  Secure disposal sites for hazardous waste, selected and designed to minimize the chance of release of hazardous substances into the environment.
• Сhеmісаl Wаѕtе  -  Wаѕtе соntаіnіng оr mаdе frоm hаrmful сhеmісаlѕ.
• Climate Change  -  Significant change from one climatic condition to another.
• Collection  -  The process of picking up wastes from residences, businesses, or a collection point, loading them into a vehicle, and transporting them to a processing, transfer, or disposal site.
• Combustible Waste  -  Solid waste that will burn, such as waste paper, cardboard, wood, plastics, textiles and leaves, with or without resource recovery.
• Combustibles  -  Burnable materials in the waste stream, including paper, plastics, wood, and food and garden wastes.
• Commercial Recycling  -  Practice of collecting recyclables from retail or commercial businesses, not including single-family households but frequently including multi-family residences such as condominiums or apartments.
• Commercial Waste  -  Solid waste from business establishments such as stores, markets, office buildings, restaurants, shopping centers, and theaters.
• Commingled Containers  -  Material categories combined in one recycling bin or cart: aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, jars, jugs, and cups, and steel cans.
• Compactor  -  A type of equipment that uses pressure to compress recyclable materials into a dense mass.
• Compostable  -  Capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site, such that the material is not visually distinguishable and breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials.
• Compostable Plastic  -  Plastic that undergoes degradation by biological processes during composting to yield carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass at a rate consistent with other known compostable materials and leave no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue.
• Controlled Dump  -  A planned landfill that incorporates to some extent some of the features of a sanitary landfill: siting with respect to hydrogeological suitability, grading, compaction in some cases, leachate control, partial gas management, regular (not usually daily) cover, access control, basic record-keeping, and controlled waste picking.
• Curbside Collection  -  Collection of compostables, recyclables, or trash at the edge of a sidewalk in front of a residence or shop.
• Curing  -  Allowing partially composted materials to sit in a pile for a specified period of time as part of the maturing process in composting.

D

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Decomposition  -  Breakdown of matter by bacteria and fungi, changing the chemical makeup and physical appearance of material.
• Degradable Plastic  -  Plastic designed to undergo a significant change in its chemical structure under specific environmental conditions, resulting in a loss of some properties that may be measured by standard test methods appropriate to the plastic and the application in a period of time that determines its classification.
• Disposables  -  Consumer products, packaging, and other items used once or a few times and discarded.
• Disposal  -  Final placement or destruction of wastes through use of approved secure landfills, surface impoundments, land farming, deep-well injection, ocean dumping, or incineration.
• Drop-off Center  -  An area or facility for receiving compostables or recyclables that are dropped off by waste generators.
• Dump  -  Site used to recieve disposal of solid waste without environmental controls.

E

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Emissions  -  Gases released into the atmosphere.
• Energy Recovery  -  The process of extracting useful energy from waste, typically from the heat produced by incineration or via methane gas from landfills.
• End User  -  For purposes of recycling, the consumer of products. Excludes products for re-use or combustion for energy recovery.
• Environmental Justice  -  Fair distribution of environmental risks among all socioeconomic and racial groups.  From a solid waste perspective, environmental justice concerns arise when solid waste management facilities are, or are perceived to be, located predominantly in areas with minority or lower income populations.
• Environmental Protection  -  Minimizing the environmental impact of waste disposal and treatment processes, including managing pollutants and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

F

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Flaring  -  The burning of methane emitted from collection pipes at a landfill.
• Fly Ash  -  The highly toxic particulate matter captured from the flue gas of an incinerator by the air pollution control system.
• Food Waste  -  Uneaten food and food preparation wastes from residences and commercial establishments, including grocery stores, restaurants, produce stands, institutional cafeterias and kitchens and industrial sources.

G

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Garbage  -  In everyday usage, refuse in general. Some MSWM manuals use garbage to mean "food wastes," although this usage is not common.
• Gaylord  -  A large, reusable corrugated container commonly referred to as a cardboard box used for transporting materials such as hazardous or universal waste.
• Glass Containers  -  For recycling purposes, containers like bottles and jars for drinks, food, cosmetics and other products.  When recycled, container glass is generally separated into color categories for conversion into new containers, construction materials or fiberglass insulation.
• Green Remediation  -  Practice of considering environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to maximize the net environmental benefit of cleanup actions.
• Green Waste  -  Urban landscape waste generally consisting of leaves, grass clippings, weeds, yard trimmings, wood waste, and other miscellaneous organic materials.
• Greenhouse Gas  -  Any chemical or physical substance that is emitted into the air and that the Commissioner of Environmental Protection may reasonably anticipate to cause or contribute to climate change, including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.
• Groundwater  -  Water beneath the earth's surface that fills underground pockets (known as aquifers), supplying wells and springs.
• Groundwater Monitoring  -  Sampling and analysis of water beneath the surface of the ground for the purpose of detecting the release of contamination from a solid waste management facility.

H

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Hazardous Waste  -  Waste that is reactive, toxic, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous to living things and/or the environment.  Many industrial by-products are hazardous.
• Heavy Metals  -  Metals of high atomic weight and density, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, that are toxic to living organisms.
• Household Hazardous Waste  -  Products used in residences, such as paints and some cleaning compounds, that are toxic to living organisms and/or the environment.

I

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Incineration  -  Treatment involving destruction of waste by controlled burning at high temperatures.
• Incinerator  -  Furnace for burning waste under controlled conditions.
• Industrial Recycling  -  Practice of a company selling its useful waste materials or process scrap to another company which uses those materials to make new items.
• Industrial Waste  -  Solid waste originating from industrial processes or manufacturing operations.
• Inorganic Waste  -  Waste composed of material other than plant or animal matter, such as sand, dust, glass, and many synthetics.

J

K

L

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Landfill Gase  -  Gases arising from the decomposition of organic wastes; principally methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Such gases may cause explosions at landfills.
• Landfilling  -  The final disposal of solid waste by placing it in a controlled fashion in a place intended to be permanent.  The Source Book uses this term for both controlled dumps and sanitary landfllls.
• Leachate  -  Liquid (which may be partly produced by deromposition of organic matter) that has seeped through a landfill or a compost pile and has accumulated bacteria and other possibly harmful dissolved or suspended materials.  If uncontrolled, leachate can contaminate both groundwater and surface water.
• Leachate Pond  -  Aa pond or tank constructed at a landfill to receive the leachate from the area. Usually the pond is designed to provide some treatment of the leachate, by allowing settlem
• Life Cycle of a Product  -  All stages of a product, including extraction of fuel to power and resources for development, production, marketing, use, and disposal.
• Liner  -  A protective layer, made of soil and/or synthetic materials, installed along the bottom and sides of a landfill to prevent or reduce the flow of leachate into the environment.
• Lockbar  -  A locking system used on dumpsters to keep the dumpster lid closed for the purpose of preventing rainwater entry and to keep unauthorized users from discarding waste into the container.

M

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Mandatory Recycling  -  Program which by law require consumers to separate trash so that some or all recyclable materials are recovered for recycling rather than going to landfills or incinerators.
• Manual Collection  -  Solid waste collection by hand rather than machine, where workers grasp, lift and empty cans or toss bags into hoppers or buckets on a collection vehicle.
• Medical Waste  -  Any solid waste which is generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals, but does not include any hazardous waste.
• Methane  -  A colorless, non-poisonous, flammable greenhouse gas created by the anaerobic decomposition of organic compounds.  If captured and managed correctly, it can be used for energy.  If not captured or managed correctly, it can have harmful effects on the environment.
• Mixed Plastic  -  Recovered plastic unsorted by category.
• Mixed Waste Facility  -  Facility that accepts municipal solid waste (MSW) and recyclable materials mixed together.  Recyclables are separated from MSW, sorted, baled, and shipped to market. Residual MSW is disposed.
• Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)  -  Commonly known as trash or garbage, consists of everyday items discarded by the public, many of which could be recycled, including durable goods, non-durable goods, containers and packaging and other waste.

N

O

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Organic Waste  -  Technically, waste containing carbon, including paper, plastics, wood, food wastes, and yard wastes.  In practice in MSWM, the term is often used in a more restricted sense to mean material that is more directly derived from plant or animal sources, and which can generally be decomposed by microorganisms.

P

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Pollution  -  Generally, the presence of a substance in the environment that, because of its chemical composition or quantity, prevents the functioning of natural processes and produces undesirable environmental and health effects.
• Processing  -  Preparing MSW materials for subsequent use or management, using processes such as baling, magnetic separation, crushing, and shredding.  The term is also sometimes used to mean separation of recyclables from mixed MSW.
• Public Health  -  Ensuring that sanitation systems protect public health by reducing the spread of waterborne diseases.
• Putrefaction  -  Biological decomposition of organic matter; associated with anaerobic conditions.

Q

R

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Raw Material  -  Materials that are used to fabricate or manufacture items.
• Reclamation  -  As part of recycling, materials found in the waste stream restored to a beneficial use which may be for purposes other than original use.
• Recycle  -  Minimizing waste generation by recovering and reprocessing usable products that might otherwise become waste.
• Recyclables  -  Items that can be reprocessed into feedstock for new products.  Common examples are paper, glass, aluminum, corrugated cardboard, and plastic containers.
• Refuse  -  A term often used interchangeably with solid waste.
• Residential Waste  -  Waste material generated in single and multi-family homes other than waste that is diverted to composting and recycling.
• Rubbish  -  A general term for solid waste.  Sometimes used to exclude food wastes and ashes.

S

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Sanitary Landfill  -  Disposal sites for non-hazardous solid wastes spread in layers, compacted to the smallest practical volume, and covered by material.
• Scrap  -  Materials discarded from manufacturing operations that may be suitable for reprocessing.
• Secondary Materials  -  Materials that are manufactured, used at least once, and are to be used again.
• Site Remediation  -  Treatment of a contaminated site by removing contaminated solids or liquids or treating them on-site.
• Solid Waste  -  Any garbage, refuse, sludge, and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material, resulting from residential habitation; industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations; and community activities.  This definition may vary under diverse local, state, provincial and national laws.
• Solid Waste Disposal  -  The discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking or placing of solid waste on or in the land or water.  This definition may vary under diverse local, state, provincial and national laws.
• Solid Waste Management  -  Developing systems for the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of solid waste, including recycling and landfill management.
• Stormwater Management  -  Designing drainage systems to manage stormwater runoff, preventing flooding and protecting water quality.
• Sustainability  -  Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Swap Program  -  A waste collection program in which full bins are removed by the hauler or collector and replaced with empty ones.

T

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Transfer Point  -  A designated point, often at the edge of a neighborhood, where sma collection vehicles transfer waste to larger vehicles for transport to disposal sites.
• Transfer Station  -  A major facility at which MSW from collection vehicles is consolidated into loads that are transported by larger trucks or other means to more distant final disposal facilities, typically landfills.
• Trash  -  Material considered worthless that is thrown away. Generally defined as dry waste material, often a synonym for garbage, rubbish, or refuse.

U

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Universal Waste  -  A special category of hazardous waste that generally includes fluorescent lamps, cathode ray tubes, mercury or batteries.

V

W

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Waste  -  Unwanted materials left over from a manufacturing process.
• Waste Collector  -  A person employed by a local authority or a private firm to collect waste from residences, businesses, and community bins.
• Waste Generation  -  Amount of materials generated by a given source or category of sources that enter the waste stream before or instead of recycling, composting, landfilling, or incineration.
• Waste Minimization  -  Measures or techniques that reduce the amount of wastes generated during industrial production processes. 
• Waste Stream  -  Total flow of solid waste from homes, businesses, institutions, and manufacturing plants that is recycled, burned, or disposed of in landfills.
• Wastewater Treatment  -  Designing and overseeing the construction and operation of wastewater treatment plants to treat sewage and industrial wastewater before it is released back into the environment.
• Wetland  -  An area that is regularly wet or flooded and has a water table that stands at or above the land surface for at least part of the year.
• White Goods  -  Includes inoperative and discarded refrigerators, ranges, water heaters, freezers, and other similar domestic and commercial large appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, kitchen compactors, window unit air conditioners).

X

Y

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Yard Waste  -  Leaves, grass clippings, prunings, and other natural organic matter discarded from yards and gardens.

Z

• A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
• Zero Waste  -  Designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume of waste and conserve or recover all resources, so that 90 percent or more of an organization’s waste stream is diverted from landfills or incinerators. Achieving a zero waste goal successfully eliminates 90 percent of discharges to land, water or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.