2.1. Solid waste categories
Rubin and Davidson (2001), created two classes of solid
wastes: hazardous and nonhazardous. A hazardous waste was defined as «
a solid waste or combination of solid wastes which because of quantity,
concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may (1)
cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase
in serious irreversible , or incapacitating reversible illness; (2) pose a
substantial present or potential hazard to human health or to the environment
when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise
managed.»
On the other hand, wastes that are not designed as hazardous
are said to be non-hazardous. The most familiar type of nonhazardous waste is
what we commonly call trash or garbage. These are components of municipal solid
waste (MSW) which includes all of wastes commonly generated in residences,
commercial buildings ( like shopping smalls, restaurants, and corporate
offices), and institutional buildings (such as universities and government
offices). MSW consists of such things as paper, packaging, plastics, food
wastes, wood and discarded appliances. Similar kinds of wastes generated by
industrial facilities also are part of MSW. The additional wastes generated by
manufacturing processes, construction activities; mining and drilling
operations, agriculture, and electric power production are distinct from MSW
and are referred to as industrial wastes.
Pandey and Carney (2005) identify 2 broad categories of solid
waste materials:
Household solid waste where household solid materials are
collected locally and the amount depends upon the size and consumption habits
of the population. Commercial wastes that are generated by commercial
establishments but are usually disposed off by public facilities.
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2.2. Solid waste management
Solid waste management may be defined as the discipline
associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and
transport, processing and disposal of solid wastes. Integrated solid waste
management includes the selection and application of suitable techniques,
technologies and management programs to achieve specific waste management
objectives and goals (G. Tchobanoglous & Kreith, 2002). However, current
solid waste management technologies can be summarized as:
1) Source reduction
2) Recycling
3) Waste transformation
4) Landfilling
2.2.1. Source reduction
It involves diminishing waste amount, volume and toxicity at
the source of waste generation (Kreith, 1994). Source reduction is the most
effective way which reduces the quantity of waste, the cost of associated with
its handling, and its environmental impacts. Waste reduction may occur through
the design, manufacture, and packaging of products with minimum toxic content,
minimum volume of material, or a longer life and also at the household,
commercial, or industrial facility through selective buying patterns and the
reuse of products and material (G Tchobanoglous & 1993).
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