What Are The Types Of Household Waste
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- 29-07-2021
What are the types of household waste? Find out more about the types of household waste disposed of throughout the UK. We also look at the correct was to dispose of it.
What are the types of household waste?
There's a lot of household waste that we don't think about. It's in the bin and gone from our minds. In the UK, the average person will throw away approximately 400kg of waste every year. Thankfully, the recycling rate is increasing, with 12million tonnes of the 26million total being recycled. There is still more we can do, though.
Understanding the different types of waste can lead to a higher recycling rate if you know how to dispose of each type correctly.
Liquid Waste
Liquid waste (despite the name) has a much broader definition. Any form of liquid wastewater, oils, fats or grease, gases, hazardous liquids, or sludges can be defined as liquid waste. All of these can be produced by a household as well as commercial properties.
Any liquid by-product or pesticide, for example, will also count under this category. Due to some of these liquids being hazardous, either to humans or the environment, they should be disposed of and recycled safely.
Chemical oxidations and reductions, filtrations, oil and water separations are all part of this process, and each liquid has its unique form of disposal or recycling.
Liquid waste is typically broken into two categories of point and non-point source waste. Non-point source waste is naturally occurring and is less toxic and threatening to the environment.
Point source waste is the manufactured waste that we create. Due to two types, the more poisonous waste mustn't be allowed into the environment.
It must be contained in barrels and kept away from anything it can damage.
From there, most liquids can be treated and then recycled or reused, meaning that this form of waste is one of the easiest to recycle.
Solid Rubbish
Solid rubbish is more straightforward to break down into categories and makes up a larger percentage of what households throw out. This can contain general rubbish, litter, or even furniture that is typically found in landfills.
Usually broken down into four sections, solid rubbish can be:
This will consist of food containers more than anything else, as most types are made from metal or tin.
For the most part, these can be recycled and should be disposed of as such.
A lot of plastic waste cannot be recycled and is non-biodegradable. There are many different types, and they can be found across commercial and residential properties.
Typically plastic waste refers to any bottle, bag, container, or other forms of plastic that have been thrown away. It's important that plastic is separated from general waste and is recycled where possible.
Most types of glass can be easily recycled and is one of the most reused materials across the UK. There are glass recycling points all around the UK, typically at refuse sites, dumps, or even supermarket car parks.
Glass waste can consist of empty bottles, jars, containers, and some other forms of ceramic pottery.
Paper can also be easily recycled and reused and should be sorted and separated much like plastic before throwing out.
Newspaper, package lining, and cardboard are among the most common types.
Organic Waste
This is arguably one of the most common forms of household waste and makes up a large portion of landfill sites. Organic waste generally covers all garden and food waste thrown away but can also include rotten meat and manure, but this will generally come from commercial properties.
Almost all forms of organic waste can be decomposed, meaning that there's no waste.
This is caused by microorganisms feeding on the food and garden waste but still requires a level of care when being disposed of.
As organic waste breaks down, methane is produced, which needs containing in of itself.
Regular and organic waste should be disposed of separately, with organic being generally disposed of in green bins.
Recyclable Rubbish
Recyclable waste is anything that can be easily converted and reused in another product, such as paper, certain plastics, and metals. Furniture can also be recycled and upcycled, and this is becoming more and more common.
Typically recycling rubbish is separated into types and then taken to the correct plant. Most products will state if they are recyclable or not, with three arrows pointing in a clockwise fashion.
You are also able to recycle other things, such as small machinery and devices. Microwaves, mobile phones, and even clothes can be recycled.
If you own anything that you believe could have a use, then get in contact with your local council, and they can elaborate on what is possible.
Most areas will have some form of drop-off site for items such as batteries and mobile phones, as they hold materials that can be recycled, but only by a professional who knows what they're doing.
Hazardous Waste
One of the most challenging and dangerous forms of waste to dispose of is hazardous. Anything that offers a risk and is corrosive, flammable, or toxic is classed as hazardous.
There is potential to recycle some hazardous materials, though, as batteries and circuit boards can be reused. This needs to be broken down by professionals who know how to handle the chemicals and can't be done at home.
However, a large portion of hazardous materials must be incinerated and destroyed. This can remove the risk of the waste contaminating the environment and has been known to generate energy during.
A process called Pyrolysis is also common during the disposal of hazardous waste, as it can remove the risk of combustion. Pesticides and organic waste are the most common types of rubbish that are disposed of in this way.
However, a large portion of hazardous materials must be incinerated and destroyed.
This can remove the risk of the waste contaminating the environment and has been known to generate energy during.
A process called Pyrolysis is also common during the disposal of hazardous waste, as it can remove the risk of combustion.
Pesticides and organic waste are the most common types of rubbish that are disposed of in this way.
If you're a commercial or business owner, you have a duty of care to dispose of hazardous waste correctly. The same goes for general rubbish, as fly-tipping is an ongoing issue and can land you with a hefty fine or even a prison sentence, depending on the severity.
As a potential producer, carrier, or receiver of hazardous waste, you must be following the steps above. To check if a material is hazardous, you can contact your local council or ask yourself if it would cause harm to the environment.
Batteries, pesticides, oils, and any chemicals that can harm, damage or kill need additional care instead of just throwing away.
What Can We Learn From This?
There's a long way to go in this country to become more environmentally friendly, but leaps and bounds have been made already. The disposal and combustion of certain materials are things that the UK government aims to have reduced or entirely removed by 2030 and onwards.
If you want to make a difference from home, you can continue to educate yourself on how to best recycle and reuse materials and understand how to best cut down on waste entirely. If you're able to reuse and find points around your local area that take in old items for recycling, then do this too instead of throwing them away and forgetting about them.
The duty of care isn't entirely on commercial owners, as residential properties also produce a lot of waste. Try to cut down on waste, be sure to recycle where you can, and allow garden waste to decompose safely and efficiently.
Get in touch today if you have any household waste that needs collecting and disposed of correctly in Maidstone and Kent. Our experience and professionalism can help alleviate any stress or concerns you have concerning wastage.