Refuse

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Template:Infobox Waste Management

Refuse, commonly known as trash or garbage, refers to waste materials that are discarded by humans. Refuse is typically generated from residential, industrial, and commercial activities and can include a wide range of materials, from everyday household items to industrial residues.

Types of Refuse[edit | edit source]

Refuse can be classified into various types based on its origin and composition:

  • Household waste: This includes everyday items such as food scraps, paper, plastics, and other materials discarded in residential settings.
  • Commercial waste: Generated by establishments like restaurants, stores, and offices, this refuse includes paper, packaging materials, and food waste.
  • Industrial waste: This category includes waste from manufacturing processes, including chemicals, metals, and non-biodegradable materials.
  • Hazardous waste: Refuse that poses risks to health or the environment, including toxic, corrosive, or flammable materials.

Management of Refuse[edit | edit source]

The management of refuse is a critical aspect of environmental sustainability and public health. Methods of refuse management include:

  • Recycling: Processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials.
  • Incineration: Burning refuse to reduce its volume and generate energy.
  • Landfill: Disposing of refuse in designated areas where it is buried.
  • Composting: Decomposing organic waste into material that can be used as fertilizer.

Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]

Improper disposal of refuse can lead to significant environmental issues, including pollution of air, water, and soil. It can also contribute to problems like global warming and habitat destruction. Effective refuse management practices are essential to mitigate these impacts.

Legislation and Policies[edit | edit source]

Various laws and regulations at the local, national, and international levels govern the management of refuse. These regulations aim to reduce the generation of waste, promote recycling and reuse, and ensure safe disposal of hazardous materials.

See Also[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD