Classification on waste based on Depositing in Landfill :
- “Inert waste”. They are solid or pasty residues that, once deposited in a landfill, do not undergo significant physical-chemical or biological transformations.
- “Non-hazardous waste”. Non-hazardous waste is that which is not classified as hazardous waste, as it does not present hazardous characteristics.
- “Biodegradable waste”. Biodegradable waste from gardens and parks, food and kitchen waste from homes, restaurants, catering services and retail establishments; as well as comparable waste from food processing plants.
Inert Waste
Inert/Nonbiodegradable waste is waste which is neither chemically nor biologically reactive and will not decompose /cannot be degraded in nature or only very slowly. Examples of this are sand and concrete and include a wide range of polymeric wastes such as plastic bottles, bags, ceramics, cans, styrofoam, old machines, and containers. This has particular relevance to landfills as inert waste typically requires lower disposal fees than biodegradable waste or hazardous waste.
This type of waste does not pose a threat to the environment, animals or human health and will not affect the quality of water sources it may be in contact with.
The main issue inert waste poses to individuals and businesses is what to do with. Because it does not decompose (or takes many years to do so), it can become problematic as it takes up a lot of space.
Inert waste can be recycled. At Commercial Recycling, we actually recycle over 90% of the inert waste that is tipped with us.
One of the primary ways that we do this is by recycling the materials back into quality construction aggregates. For example, we produce recycled 6F5 Crushed Concrete for trench fills and Type 1 Recycled for road and path construction.
Non-Hazardous Waste
Non hazardous waste doesn’t sound like it poses a threat, this type of waste can cause significant environmental damage.
That’s why state and local governments often regulate non hazardous waste, and why it’s important to properly dispose of your waste to ensure you’re meeting all appropriate regulations.
In the industrial sector, in particular, non hazardous waste can be generated during the production of goods and products.
Biodegradable Waste
Biodegradable waste includes any organic matter in waste which can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water, methane or simple organic molecules by micro-organisms and other living things by composting, aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion or similar processes. It mainly includes kitchen waste (spoiled food, trimmings, inedible parts), ash, soil, dung and other plant matter. In waste management, it also includes some inorganic materials which can be decomposed by bacteria. Such materials include gypsum and its products such as plasterboard and other simple sulfates which can be decomposed by sulfate reducing bacteria to yield hydrogen sulfide in anaerobic land-fill conditions.
In domestic waste collection, the scope of biodegradable waste may be narrowed to include only those degradable wastes capable of being handled in the local waste handling facilities.
Biodegradable waste when not handled properly can have an outsized impact on climate change, especially through methane emissions from anaerobic fermentation that produces landfill gas. Other approaches to reducing the impact include reducing the amount of waste produced, such as through reducing food waste. This type of waste is easily degraded by microbes.