Municipal solid waste

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), commonly known as trash or garbage, is a waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by the public. The composition of municipal solid waste varies greatly from municipality to municipality, and it can change significantly with time.

Definition

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is defined as waste collected by municipalities or other local authorities. These wastes are generally in either solid or semi-solid form and exclude industrial hazardous wastes.

Composition

The composition of MSW is variable, but a general breakdown in developed countries may look like this: organic material (40-60%), paper and cardboard (20-30%), plastic (5-12%), glass (4-8%), metal (4-8%), and other wastes (10-20%).

Management

The management of municipal solid waste is a complex task that involves the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal of waste materials. The ultimate goal of MSW management is to minimize the adverse impacts on the environment and human health.

Collection

Waste collection is the first step of the waste management process. It involves gathering the waste from residential, commercial, and industrial sources.

Transport

After collection, the waste is then transported to a waste treatment facility or a landfill. This is usually done using waste collection vehicles.

Processing and Recycling

At the waste treatment facility, the waste is sorted and processed. Recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metals are separated and sent to recycling facilities.

Disposal

The final step in the waste management process is disposal. The most common method of disposal is landfilling, where waste is deposited in landfills. Other methods include incineration, composting, and anaerobic digestion.

Environmental Impact

Improper disposal of MSW can lead to serious environmental problems like air and water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. It can also lead to health problems for people living near waste disposal sites.

See Also

• Waste management
• Recycling
• Landfill
• Incineration
• Composting
• Anaerobic digestion

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