Solid Waste

Solid Waste

These are the discarded solid substances generated from human activities and having no more value with respect to its economic, physiological or technological process

Organic waste

These are the wastes generated during the preparation of food like vegetables, flowers, leaves, fruits, and other wastes from market places.

Biodegradable wastes

Wastes that come from plants or animals that can be degraded by other living organisms, often used for composting, If processed, this can be a source of heat, electricity and fuel. These include human waste, manure, sewage, slaughterhouse waste.

Non-biodegradable wastes

Waste that cannot be broken down by other living organisms

Combustibles

These are usually organic waste having low moisture content. Examples are paper, wood, dried leaves, etc.

Non-combustibles

These includes metals, tins, cans, bottles, stones, etc.

Toxic wastes

Examples are old medicines, paints, chemicals, bulbs, spray cans, fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish.

Recyclables

These wastes can be recycled or used again for the same or different purpose. These includes paper, glass, metals, plastics, etc.

Construction wastes

These wastes consist of unwanted materials that are produced directly or indirectly from the manufacturing, assembly and other construction processes. Examples of these are rubble, roofing, broken concrete, nails, electrical wiring, etc.

Hazardous wastes

These waste are considered harmful and dangerous and can consist of medical waste, industrial waste and hospital waste.

Bulky wastes

Examples of these are tree branches, tires etc.

Refuse

The first in the hierarchy of 5R's is ___ and this is the best way to minimize waste.

Reduce

Avoiding too much use of resources can help ___ the waste and therefore, there is less waste to manage.

Reuse

One important thing that an individual can do is to ___ waste materials.

Repurpose

If an item cannot be refused, reduced or reused, the option will be to ___.

Waste generation

This pertains to some actions that focused on distinguishing materials that are not functioning anymore or valueless to the owner and are subjected for disposal

Storage

___ corresponds to a system for keeping the waste generated that has been discarded prior to collection and disposal.

Waste processing and recovery

This pertains to the services, tools, and methods used to make materials become ecofriendly to be used again and to efficiently develop other essential features of waste management.

Disposal

This is the final phase of waste management that involves activities with the purpose of disposing waste materials in locations such as landfills or in places that converts waste-to-usable materials facilities.

Pyrolysis

Thermal decomposition of carbon-based materials that produce syngas.

Conventional Gasification

A thermal method where carbonaceous materials are converted into syngas using a limited amount of air or oxygen.

Plasma Arc Gasification

A high temperature pyrolysis process that coverts carbon-based materials into syngas

Residential

One of the main sources of solid waste come from households. These places generate huge amount of solid waste that includes food wastes, plastics, paper, glass, leather, cardboard, metals, yard wastes, ashes and special wastes such as electronics, tires, batteries, old mattresses and used oil.

Industrial

One of the leading contributors to solid waste are the manufacturing industries, construction sites, fabrication and power plants. The solid waste are generated from housekeeping, food and packaging, construction and demolition materials, medical and hazardous wastes.

Commercial

Existence of many ___ facilities and buildings are significant factors considered in the generation of solid waste particularly the hotels, restaurants, stores and office buildings. These facilities produce lots of solid wastes ranging from plastics, food wastes, metals, paper, glass, wood, cardboard materials, and other hazardous wastes.

Institutional

Institutions such as schools, prisons, military barracks and other government centers can also generate solid wastes. Example of wastes produced in these places consist of glass, plastics, food wastes, wood, paper, metals, cardboard materials, electronics as well as various hazardous wastes.

Construction and Demolition Areas

Many solid wastes generated can also be attributed to the construction and demolition sites. The solid wastes produced in these sites usually consist of steel materials, concrete, wood, plastics, rubber, copper wires, dirt and glass.

Municipal Services

Urban centers also greatly contribute to the generation of solid waste. Among the solid waste brought about by the ___ are those from street cleaning, wastes from parks and beaches, wastewater treatment plants, landscaping wastes and wastes from recreational areas, including sludge.

Agriculture

___ wastes like pesticides, spoiled foods and some hazardous materials are produced from farms, orchards, dairies and vineyards.

Biomedical

___ wastes refer to the wastes generated by hospitals and ___ equipment and chemical manufacturing firms. These include syringes, bandages, used gloves, drugs, paper, plastics, food wastes and chemicals. ___ wastes should be disposed of properly to avoid environmental and human problems as well

Solid Waste Incineration

Process that converts waste material into gas, ash and heat

Aerobic Digestion/Composting

Involves the conversion of organic materials such as yard trimmings, food scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea leaves, herbs, spices, nuts and egg shells as well as cut flowers or plant trimmings, as long as they aren't diseased to prevent the emission of harmful greenhouse gasses.

Anaerobic digestion

A process that is dependent on the micro-organisms that digest organic waste and takes place in the absence of oxygen in a sealed tank

Sanitary Landfill

The most common solid waste disposal method is the ___. The refuse collected is basically spread out in thin layers and compressed.

Pyrolysis / Gasification

___ is a variation of the pyrolysis process. In this process, there is an additional reactor added to promote gasification of the carbon char or pyrolysis liquids that is formed from the initial pyrolysis step

Fatal accidents

Examples are scavengers buried under waste piles

Infrastructure damage

Example of this is the damage to access roads by heavy vehicles

Particle Size

Materials should undergo either grinding, chipping, and shredding to increase the surface area on which microorganisms can feed. A compost mixture that is more homogeneous increases pile insulation that helps sustain optimum temperatures. Mixtures having very small particles is not also advisable because they might prevent the air from flowing freely through the pile.

Moisture Content

Compost pile must have sufficient moistness for microorganisms to survive. Water carries the substances within the compost pile so that the nutrients in organic material can be accessible to the microbes.

Oxygen Flow

Decomposition can occur faster by aerating the pile. Aerating the pile can be done by using series of pipes, or bulking agents like wood chips or shredded newspaper. Too much oxygen is not recommended because it can lessen the moisture content the pile that can delay the composting process.

Temperature

For microorganisms to have optimal activity, a temperature of at least 140° F is needed. To promote a speedy composting and to destroy pathogens and weed seeds, accurate temperatures must be used, if not, rooting might occur.

Biogas Generation

The gas produced in anaerobic digestion can generate electricity and heat

Bio-fertilizer Production

Another product produced is the nutrient rich bio-fertilizer that undergoes pasteurization to kill any pathogens before farmers can use it on farmlands.