introduction Solid waste is generated from various sources and its disposal is a major environmental concern Below are the sources and types of solid waste along with common methods of solid waste disposal Sources and Types of Solid 1 Residential Waste Generated from households including kitchen waste paper plastics glass metals textiles and other miscellaneous household discards Example Food scraps packaging materials old clothes 2 Commercial Waste Waste generated by businesses offices schools and other non industrial establishments Example Office paper packaging materials old furniture and electronics 3 Industrial Waste By products from manufacturing processes This includes hazardous and non hazardous waste depending on the industry Examples Scrap metal chemical by products and packaging waste 4 Agricultural Waste Generated by farming activities including waste from crops livestock and agricultural chemicals Examples Animal manure crop residues pesticides 5 Construction and Demolition Waste Produced from building and infrastructure projects Examples Concrete bricks wood and metal 6 Municipal Waste Includes household commercial and some industrial waste Often referred to as trash or garbage Examples Household waste street cleaning waste and park waste 7 Biomedical or Healthcare Waste Generated by hospitals clinics research facilities Examples Used syringes bandages pharmaceuticals and other medical equipment 8 E Waste Discarded electronic appliances and devices Examples Computers mobile phones televisions Methods of Solid Waste Disposal 1 Incineration Process Involves burning solid waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume Advantages Reduces waste volume by up to 90 Can generate energy through waste to energy plants Disadvantages Releases pollutants like dioxins and furans if not properly controlled Expensive to install and maintain advanced pollution control systems 2 Sanitary Landfill Process Solid waste is compacted and buried in a designated area The waste is spread in thin layers and compacted followed by covering with soil to reduce odor and pest attraction Advantages Relatively simple and low cost method Methane gas produced can be captured and used for energy Disadvantages Requires large areas of land Can lead to groundwater contamination if not properly lined and managed Methane a potent greenhouse gas is a by product of waste decomposition 3 Composting Process The biological decomposition of organic waste like food scraps and garden waste into a nutrient rich soil amendment called compost Advantages Reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills Produces valuable compost that can be used for gardening and agriculture Disadvantages Only effective for organic waste Requires time and space for decomposition