Waste Management Basics

The primary goal of waste management is to reduce the amount of waste produced, recycle and reuse as much waste as possible, and dispose of waste in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Incineration is a process of burning waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume and weight. It is not considered a type of waste management because it does not reduce the amount of waste produced or recycle or reuse any of the materials in the waste.

Landfilling is the most common type of waste management in the United States. In 2018, approximately 146 million tons of municipal solid waste was landfilled in the United States.

Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil amendment called compost. Compost can be used to improve the soil's structure, fertility, and moisture-holding capacity.

Incineration is the process of converting waste into energy. Incinerators burn waste at high temperatures to produce steam, which can be used to generate electricity or heat homes and businesses.

The waste generation rate is the amount of waste produced per person per day. It is typically measured in pounds or kilograms.

Recycling is the process of separating different materials from waste so that they can be reused or repurposed. Common materials that are recycled include paper, plastic, metal, and glass.

Waste reduction is the process of reducing the amount of waste produced. This can be done by using less material, reusing materials, and recycling materials.

Landfilling is the process of disposing of waste in a landfill. Landfills are large areas of land where waste is buried and compacted.

Anaerobic digestion is the process of converting organic waste into biogas. Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide that can be used to generate electricity or heat homes and businesses.

Pyrolysis is the process of converting waste into fuel. Pyrolysis involves heating waste in the absence of oxygen to produce a combustible gas, liquid, or solid.

Gasification is the process of converting waste into a synthetic gas. Gasification involves heating waste in the presence of oxygen to produce a combustible gas that can be used to generate electricity or heat homes and businesses.

Liquefaction is the process of converting waste into a liquid fuel. Liquefaction involves heating waste in the presence of a catalyst to produce a liquid fuel that can be used to power vehicles or generate electricity.

Solidification is the process of converting waste into a solid fuel. Solidification involves mixing waste with a binder to produce a solid fuel that can be used to generate electricity or heat homes and businesses.

Chemical recycling is the process of converting waste into a chemical feedstock. Chemical recycling involves breaking down waste into its constituent chemicals, which can then be used to produce new materials.