Solid Waste Management Overview

Any material discarded after primary use because it's no longer useful, worthless, or defective.

A range of garbage materials, including animal & human waste, discarded as unwanted and useless.

Solid waste generated from homes and businesses in a city. It often includes food scraps, paper, plastic, and glass.

Waste generated from industrial activities. Often, this includes hazardous chemicals and materials.

A system of collecting, treating, and disposing of solid waste in a safe and environmentally friendly way. It includes collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.

A type of solid waste that includes medical waste and hazardous materials.

Solid waste generated from hospitals and medical facilities. It often includes sharps like needles and contaminated materials.

A large area where solid waste is buried and covered with soil. It's a common method of waste disposal.

Waste materials that remain after recycling and separate collection efforts, typically consisting of a mix of materials that cannot be easily reused.

Waste materials that can be processed and used again to create new products.

Waste generated from healthcare facilities, including sharps, soiled materials, and medical instruments.

A characteristic of hazardous waste that describes its ability to ignite easily or burn rapidly.

A characteristic of hazardous waste that describes its ability to react violently or explosively.

A characteristic of hazardous waste that describes its ability to corrode metals or damage living tissue.

A legal framework in the Philippines outlining the systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program to protect public health and the environment.

A waste management strategy that prioritizes reducing, reusing, and recycling waste to extract maximum benefits from products and minimize waste generation.

The principle where the polluting party is responsible for paying for the environmental impact of their actions. In waste management, this means waste generators pay for appropriate disposal.

The process of separating waste into different categories based on its ability to decompose naturally.

Waste materials that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms into simpler substances like compost. Examples include kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, and leaves.

Waste materials that cannot be broken down by natural processes and persist in the environment for a long time.

Non-biodegradable waste categories include recyclable materials like plastics, paper, glass, and metal, as well as toxic materials like old medicines, paints, and batteries.

Waste that is contaminated with bodily fluids and can pose a significant health risk. Examples include bandages, swabs, and medical equipment soiled with blood.

A solution formed when water dissolves pollutants from garbage in a landfill.

A controlled method of burying waste in a manner that reduces environmental harm.

A lining used in landfills to prevent pollutants from reaching groundwater.

A system designed to collect and divert leachate from landfills, preventing contamination.

Burning waste to reduce its volume before disposal.

The process of breaking down organic matter in landfills by microorganisms, often in low-oxygen environments.

A gas produced during the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials in landfills. It's a valuable source of energy.

The natural conditions of groundwater flow and geology of a landfill site.

The process by which solid waste enters the soil and groundwater, contaminating them.

A potent greenhouse gas produced from the breakdown of waste in landfills.

A hierarchical approach to waste management, prioritizing reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting before disposal.

Occurs when waste is dumped directly into bodies of water, polluting them and harming the ecosystem.

The contamination of the environment by waste, often leading to health problems and ecological damage.

A process where organic materials are broken down by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi into simpler forms. These microorganisms use the carbon in the waste as an energy source.

The process of converting non-recyclable waste into usable energy forms like heat, fuels, and electricity. It involves various technologies like incineration, gasification, and anaerobic digestion.

These facilities focus on recovering reusable or recyclable materials from the waste stream. They improve efficiency in waste management by sorting and processing materials.

Any liquid that extracts soluble or suspended solids or other components while passing through matter. It is a by-product of waste decomposition and can be harmful if not managed properly.

A complex mixture of gases produced by microorganisms within a landfill, primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide. It can be used to generate energy.

A method of waste disposal where solid waste is buried and covered with soil. It includes a system of layers and controls to minimize environmental impact.

The group most vulnerable to the ill effects of unscientific waste disposal. This includes populations with limited waste management systems, waste workers, and those handling toxic materials.

A process involving microorganisms that decompose biodegradable organic waste under controlled conditions, resulting in nutrient-rich compost. This can be aerobic (with oxygen) or anaerobic (without oxygen).