A solid waste management system that uses a combination of methods, including waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting of yard waste and food waste, resource recovery through mixed municipal solid waste composting or incineration for energy recovery, and land disposal, in that order of preference. ^ back to top

A fibrous material, used in making products such as pipe insulation, roofing shingles, automotive brake pads and gaskets, and fireproof articles, among others. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis or lung cancer. In 1971, the Environmental Protection Agency identified asbestos as a hazardous air pollutant. All activities involving the [..]

Used in fluorescent and High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps; comprised of a transformer (often containing PCBs, a hazardous substance) and magnetic coil that controls the flow of current within the lamp and provides the required starting voltage; must be managed as a hazardous waste if it contains PCBs. ^ back to top

Capable of being decomposed by organic processes into elements found in nature when under conditions that allow decomposition. The term may be used in marketing products, sometimes without relevance to whether available disposal methods will allow decomposition. ^ back to top

A specialized vacuum tube in which images are produced when an electron beam strikes a phosphorescent surface; typically found in televisions, video and computer monitors, medical and other specialty visual display equipment. Depending on size, each CRT contains 5 to 8 pounds of the heavy metal lead (a hazardous substance) and must be managed as a [..]

A family of chemical compounds including carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine and Freon; some of which are volatile, nontoxic and easily liquefied; typically used in refrigeration, air conditioning, packaging and insulation, or as solvents and aerosol propellants. CFCs are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere and rise readily into the upper layers [..]

The microbial process that breaks down organic waste into a humus-like soil amendment. ^ back to top

Waste building materials, packaging and rubble resulting from construction, remodeling and repair of buildings and roads. ^ back to top

Inadequate sorting of recyclable materials that interferes with the clean processing of recyclables. For example, a single ceramic coffee mug can cause a ten-ton load of glass bottles to be rejected by the end market; or contamination of office paper can occur if food, carbon paper, metal cans - essentially, any non-paper item - is added to the loa [..]

A sturdy three-layer paper board shaped into parallel and alternating ridges and grooves; used in the manufacture of most shipping boxes. ^ back to top