Waste refers to unwanted or unusable materials that are discarded after primary use or are worthless, defective, and of no use. Waste can be a physical object, but its generation is a physical and psychological process. The following are some types of waste:
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Municipal waste: This is a broad category of non-hazardous solid waste that includes household waste, also known as trash or garbage, and items typically thrown away daily from ordinary households, such as product packaging.
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Hazardous waste: This is waste that poses a substantial or potential threat to public health or the environment and requires special handling for disposal.
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Industrial waste: This is waste generated by industries and factories.
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Agricultural waste: This is waste generated by the rearing of animals and the management of forests.
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Medical waste: This is waste generated by healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, and includes items such as needles, syringes, and other medical equipment.
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Radioactive waste: This is waste materials associated with radionuclide (radioisotope) generation and use in veterinary medicine.
Waste can be recycled, and items should only be considered waste if they cannot be recycled. Recycling and proper management of waste removal are essential to curb the growing waste problem and allow us to live sustainably.