| ential solid waste, also called urban solid waste and | | | | and animals. A waste removal service is trained to |
| municipal solid waste, is refuse that normally comes | | | | remove these products safely and responsibly. They |
| from households. It is either in solid or semisolid form. | | | | will sort and categorize the hazardous materials |
| There are five general categories of solid waste that | | | | before storing them in containment units. The |
| include: | | | | contracted hazardous waste hauler packs the items |
| 1) Biodegradable waste: food waste and kitchen | | | | in drums and sends them to hazardous waste |
| waste | | | | incinerator or other treatment facility for proper |
| 2) Recyclable material: paper, glass, bottles, cans, | | | | disposal. Some materials, such as used motor oil, |
| metals, and certain plastics. | | | | lead-acid batteries and antifreeze, are recycled. |
| 3) Stagnant waste: construction waste, dirt, rocks, | | | | Compost Services: Many cities and towns offer a |
| and debris. | | | | compost service. They will provide compost bins for |
| 4) Assorted waste: waste clothing, waste | | | | people to place such items as kitchen food waste, |
| plastics,etc. | | | | newspaper, and other items that can be composted. |
| 5) Household hazardous waste: toxic waste such as | | | | A contracted waste removal company will pick up |
| paints, chemicals, light bulbs, spray cans, fertilizer and | | | | the compost left on residential curb sides. |
| pesticide containers, batteries,etc. | | | | Energy Recovery Plants: Plants that convert waste |
| Cities and towns generally contracts out solid waste | | | | to energy are popping up all over the country. These |
| removal services. They will submit bids, assess each | | | | plants burn waste to heat water which produces |
| bid, and recommend a company. The waste | | | | steam in much the same way power plants burn coal, |
| company will bill the city or town. These companies | | | | oil, natural gas, or wood. The steam can cause a |
| are privately owned so if a person has a lot of | | | | turbine to produce electricity. Waste removal |
| waste after a project such as home renovation, they | | | | companies that have energy recovery plants in their |
| can hire a waste removal company to remove the | | | | area will make use of these services. |
| refuse. | | | | Special Handling Waste Removal Services: Cities and |
| Because of environmental regulations and a growing | | | | towns will have a contracted service to remove large |
| demand for a cleaner environment, waste companies | | | | items such as tires, air conditioners, household |
| are now performing the following services: | | | | appliances, and construction debris. Tires are sent to |
| Recycling Programs: Curbside recycling is usually | | | | a recycling or recovery facility and household |
| available to all residential customers. Customers will | | | | appliances, after chlorofluorocarbon gas removal, are |
| separate their recyclables according to paper and | | | | taken to recycling stations. |
| plastics for curbside pick up. Depending on the | | | | Individual Contracted Waste Removal Services: There |
| contract, this is normally done every two weeks. | | | | are situations where a person has too much waste |
| There can be special recycling programs such as | | | | to be removed by a city or town removal service. |
| Christmas tree recycling. The trees are then made | | | | They will then enlist the services of a private |
| into mulch. Other special programs a town or city can | | | | company. They are trained and certified to dispose |
| offer are Spring and Fall Clean Ups. They are | | | | of waste, compost, and recycle residential goods. For |
| designed to encourage residents to get rid of large | | | | a nominal fee, a company will come to your home |
| amounts of garbage. | | | | and remove all of your excess trash. |
| Hazardous Materials: Every year, millions of people | | | | Because of growing environmental concerns, most |
| accumulate such hazardous waste products as | | | | companies dispose of waste in ways that will have |
| batteries, paints and stains, cleansers and polishes, | | | | the least environmental impact. You will feel good |
| motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides and herbicides,etc. | | | | knowing that you are doing your part to protect and |
| These are dangerous to the environment, people, | | | | conserve the environment. |