New Definition for "Solid Waste" from the EPA

On October 7, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new final rule that streamlines regulation of hazardous secondary materials to encourage beneficial recycling and help conserve resources. The new rule goes into affect on December 29, 2008. The rules set forth a means for receiving a formal determination that a generator's hazardous secondary materials are not discarded and, therefore, not solid wastes when legitimately reclaimed; which affectively removes the waste materials from manifesting & RCRA regulations. The rule also contains a provision to determine which recycling activities are legitimate for the "non‐waste" determinations.

Solid Waste Definitions

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y

A

Abatement

the reduction in landfill pollution by source reduction and waste recycling.

Aeriation

the process of exposing compost material to air.

Aerobic Composting

a method of composting organic wastes using bacteria that need oxygen.

Aluminum Cans

refers to containers and packaging such as beverage cans or food and other nonfood cans. Examples of recycling include processing cans into new aluminum products (containers or foil). (U.S. EPA, 1995d)

B

Backyard Composting

refers to the diversion of food scraps and yard trimmings from the municipal waste stream through the onsite controlled decomposition of organic matter by micro-organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) into a humus-like product. Backyard composting is excluded from recycling activities. Rather, it is considered source reduction because the composted materials never enter the municipal solid waste stream. (U.S. EPA, 1991a)

Bale

a large bundle, usually rectangular, of compressed or densified recyclable materials such as plastic bottles.

Baler

equipment that compacts and binds recyclable materials to reduce volume and transportation costs.

Bi-metal can

a food or beverage can with a steel body and an aluminum lid. It is 100% recyclable.

Biodegradable

able to bread down or decompose rapidly under natural conditions and processes.

Boxboard

paperboard used in the creation of boxes, such as cereal and show boxes and milk cartons.

Broad Categories

refers to general classifications of recyclable materials (glass, paper, plastic, metals).

Broker

refers to an individual or group of individuals who act as an agent or intermediary between the sellers and buyers of recyclable materials. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

Brown Goods

Obsolete electronic products, such as radios and televisions, also known as "E-Waste".

Brownfield

A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

Brush and Branches

refers to the natural woody material collected from yard trimmings. Whole trees, such as Christmas trees, are included. Excludes leaves and grass. Examples of recycling include processing brush and branches into compost additive or mulch.

Bulky Waste

refers to those items that are large enough to warrant special collection services separate from regular residential curbside collection. Examples include major appliances and furniture.

Buy-Back Center

refers to a facility where individuals or groups of individuals exchange recyclables for payment. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

C

Capture Rate

The percentage of generated secondary materials actually recovered from a household or business.

Closed Loop Recycling

process of collecting an item like a bottle and processing it back into another bottle.

Co-collection

The collection of bagged recyclables together with other municipal garbage, separated later for recycling or disposal.

Collector

refers to public or private haulers that collect nonhazardous waste and recyclable materials from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources. Also see Hauler.

Combustion Ash

refers to the residual substance produced during the burning, combustion, or oxidation of waste material. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

Commercial Waste

refers to waste generated by businesses, such as office buildings; retail and wholesale establishments; and restaurants. Examples include old corrugated containers, food scraps, office papers, disposable tableware, paper napkins, and yard trimmings. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Commingled Recyclables

refers to a mixture of several recyclable materials in one container. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

Comminution

mechanical shredding or pulverizing of waste; used in solid and water waste treatment.

Composting Facilities

refers to an offsite facility where the organic component of municipal solid scraps is biologically decomposed under controlled conditions; an aerobic process in which organic materials are ground or shredded and then decomposed to humus in windrow piles or in mechanical digesters, drums, or similar enclosures. (U.S. EPA, 1991a, 1994a)

Computer Paper/Printout

refers to a type of paper used in manifold business forms and produced in rolls and/or fan folded. It is used with computers and word processors to print data, information, letters, advertising, etc. (U.S. EPA, 1994b)

Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris

refers to waste that is generated during the construction, remodeling, repair, or demolition of buildings, bridges, pavements, and other structures. C&D debris includes concrete, asphalt, lumber, steel girders, steel rods, wiring, dry wall, carpets, window glass, metal and plastic piping, tree stumps, soil, and other miscellaneous items related to the activities listed above. This category also includes natural disaster debris. (U.S. EPA, 1989, 1994d)

Consumer Price Index

refers to an index measuring the change in the cost of typical wage-earner purchases of goods and services expressed as a percentage of the cost of these same goods and services in some base period. (Mish et al., 1988)

Containerboard

the component materials used in the fabrication of corrugated cardboard.

Contaminated Soil

refers to the introduction of micro-organisms, chemicals, toxic substances, wastes, or wastewater into soil in concentrations that make the soil unfit for its intended use. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

Corrugated cardboard (old-OCC)

Unbleached, unwaxed kraft paper with ruffled inner liner. A recyclable material used to manufacture cardboard boxes.

Cradle-to-grave

A system that handles solid waste from creation through disposal.

Crumb Rubber

refers to ground rubber pieces the size of sand or silt used in rubber or plastic products, or processed further into reclaimed rubber or asphalt products. (U.S. EPA, 1991c)

Crusher

A mechanical device used to break secondary materials into smaller pieces.

Cullett

Crushed glass which can be added to a batch of new materials in the manufacturing of new glass products. It increases the rate of heat gain by batch and reduces fuel costs. Domestic c-- if produced in house during the manufacturing process. Foreign c-- if it comes from an external source.

Curbside Recycling

process of collection in which separated or commingled recyclables are set out on the curb in containers at residences for pickup.

D

Degradability

Ability of materials to break down, by bacterial (biodegradable) or ultraviolet (photodegradable) action.

De-inking

A process that removes inks, dyes or other contaminants from collected wastepaper.

Disposal Facilities

refers to repositories for solid waste including landfills and combustors intended for permanent containment or destruction of waste materials. Excludes transfer stations and composting facilities. (U.S. EPA, 1991b and National Recycling Coalition, 1995)

Diversion Credits

A financial incentive provided to municipalities or private recycling operations based on the tonnage diverted from the waste stream.

Diversion rate

the percentage of materials recovered for recycling from households and businesses.

Drop-Off Center

refers to a method of collection whereby recyclable or compostable materials are taken by individuals to a collection site and placed in designated containers. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

E

E-Waste

obsolete electronic equipment (e.g. computers, monitors, printers and televisions) that contain potentially toxic components and require safe disposal.

End User

refers to facilities that purchase or secure recovered materials for the purpose of recycling. Examples include recycling plants and composting facilities. Excludes waste disposal facilities.

Energy from Waste

A recognized alternative process to reduction or recovery of recyclable materials wich are not currently economical.

Environmentally Sensitive Products

Products that protect or enhance the environment, or that are less damaging to the environment than standard products.

Exports

refers to municipal solid waste and recyclables that are transported outside the state or locality where they originated.

F

Ferrous Metals

refers to magnetic metals derived from iron (steel). (U.S. EPA, 1995d) Products made from ferrous metals include major and small appliances, furniture, and containers and packaging (steel drums and barrels). Examples of recycling include processing tin/steel cans, strapping, and ferrous metals from appliances into new products. (U.S. EPA, 1995d)

Food Processing Waste

refers to food residues produced during agricultural and industrial operations.

Food Scraps

refers to uneaten food and food preparation wastes from residences and commercial establishments (grocery stores, restaurants, and produce stands), institutional sources (school cafeterias), and industrial sources (employee lunchrooms). Excludes food processing waste from agricultural and industrial operations. Examples of recycling include composting and using food scraps to feed pigs, but excludes source reduction activities such as backyard (onsite) composting and use of food items for human consumption (food banks).

Front End Separation

A system in which certain materials removed from the waste stream are directed toward a specific recovery system such as recycling or waste to energy incineration.

G

Gaylord Container

The trade name for a large, reusable corrugated container used for shipping materials.

Generators

refers to producers of municipal solid waste such as residences, institutions, commercial businesses, and industry.

Glass Beneficiation Plant

refers to a glass processing facility where recovered glass cullet is cleaned of contaminants and processed into a form that is ready to be manufactured into a new product (mill-ready). (U.S. EPA, 1995c)

Glass Containers

refers to containers and packaging such as beer and soft drink bottles, wine and liquor bottles, and bottles and jars for food, cosmetics, and other products. For the purpose of recycling, container glass is generally separated into color categories (clear, green, and amber or brown). Examples of recycling include processing glass into new containers, construction materials (aggregate), or fiberglass (insulation). (U.S. EPA, 1995d)

Grass

refers to lawn clippings. Excludes leaves, brush, and branches. (Mish et al., 1988)

Grasscycling

refers to the source reduction activity whereby grass clippings are left on the lawn after mowing.

Gross Sales Receipts

taxable transactions, or the total dollar value of goods sold in a state that are subject to state sales tax. The specific goods subjected to sales tax vary from state to state.

H

Hauler

refers to a waste collection company that provides complete refuse removal services. Many will also collect recyclables. Includes both private and public entities. Also see Collector. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

Hazardous Waste

waste that is reactive, toxic, corrosive or otherwise dangerous to living things and/or the environment. Many industrial by-products are hazardous.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

refers to a plastic product in which the ethylene molecules are linked in long chains with few side branches. Examples of products made from HDPE include milk jugs, detergent bottles, margarine tubs, and garbage containers. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)

Heavy Metals

Elements, including cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic which may be found in the waste stream as part of discarded items (batteries, lighting fixtures, colorants, ink).

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

refers to hazardous products that are used and disposed of by residential-rather than industrial-consumers. These products include some paints, stains, varnishes, solvents, and pesticides, and other materials or products containing volatile chemicals that catch fire, react, explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic. HHW is derived from municipal solid waste (MSW) with the exception of used oil which is excluded from the category of MSW. Examples of recycling include processing HHW components into new products after they have been diverted from the waste stream. Diversion from the waste stream only does not constitute recycling (i.e., through collection or drop-off programs). (U.S. EPA, 1992, 1993b)

I

Imports

refers to municipal solid waste and recyclables that have been transported to a state or locality for processing or final disposition, but that did not originate in that state or locality.

Incinerator

refers to a furnace for burning solid waste under controlled conditions. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

Industrial Process Waste

refers to residues produced during manufacturing operations. (Sullivan, 1993)

Industrial Sludge

refers to the semiliquid residue remaining from the treatment of industrial water and wastewater. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

Industrial Waste

refers to nonhazardous wastes discarded at industrial sites from packaging and administrative sources. Examples include corrugated boxes, plastic film, wood pallets, lunchroom wastes, and office paper. Excludes industrial process wastes from manufacturing operations. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Inorganic waste

waste composed of material other than plan or animal matter, such as sand, dust, glass, and many synthetics.

Institutional Waste

refers to waste generated at institutions, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and prisons. Examples include cafeteria and restroom trashcan wastes, office papers, classroom wastes, and yard trimmings. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

In-vessel composting

composting in an enclosed vessel or drum with a controlled internal environment, mechanical mixing, and aeration.

L

Landfill

a private or municipal site where non-hazardous solid or municipal waste is buried.

Landfill gases

gases arising from the decomposition of organic wastes; principally methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Such gases may cause explosions at landfills.

Large Appliances

see Major Appliances.

Large Generator

refers to commercial businesses, institutions, or industries that generate sufficient quantities of municipal solid waste and recyclables to warrant self-management of these materials. Examples of large generators include supermarkets, restaurants, hardware stores, shopping malls, warehouses, amusement parks, convention centers, and office and apartment complexes.

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)

refers to a plastic material in which the ethylene molecules are linked in a random fashion with the main chains of the polymer having long and short side branches. LDPE is used for both rigid containers and plastic film applications. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)

Lead-Acid Batteries

refers to batteries used in automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles. They contain plastic, lead (a toxic metal), and sulfuric acid. Excludes lead-acid batteries from large equipment, heavy-duty trucks and tractors, aircraft, military vehicles, and boats. (U.S. EPA, 1993a, 1996b)

Leakage

refers to cases in which residential recyclables are collected outside of a municipal collection system. As a result, these materials are often undetected during the course of normal data collection efforts.

Leachate

liquid (which may be partly produced by decomposition of organic matter) that has seeped through a landfill or a compost pile and has accumulated bacteria and other possibly harmful dissolved or suspended materials. If uncontrolled, leachate can contaminate both groundwater and surface water.

Leaching

process by which soluble materials are dissolved and carried through the soil by a percolating liquid.

Leaves

refers to the foliage of a plant. Excludes brush, branches, and grass. (Mish et al., 1988)

Lift

the completed layer of compacted waste in a cell at a landfill.

Liner

barrier designed to prevent the leaching of contents from a landfill; commonly comprised of plastic or dense clay.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Used to make soft plastics such as grocery bags, often referred as No.4 Plastic.

M

Major (Large) Appliances

refers to many different types, sizes, and styles of ovens, microwave ovens, air-conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, dehumidifiers, or trash compactors manufactured for household, commercial, or recreational use. Steel is the predominant material used in the manufacture of large appliances. Other materials found in appliances (in varying amounts) include, copper, brass, aluminum, glass, rubber, and paperboard. Also see White Goods and Bulky Waste. (Sullivan, 1993 and U.S. EPA, 1995d)

Materials Exchange

a free service that links organizations that have reusable goods they no longer need to those who can use them. Helps prevent usable materials from becoming garbage and going to the landfill.

Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

refers to a facility where recyclables are sorted into specific categories and processed, or transported to processors, for remanufacturing. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

Medical Waste

refers to any solid waste generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals, excluding hazardous waste identified or listed under 40 CFR Part 261 or any household waste as defined in 40 CFR Subsection 261.4 (b)(1). (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

Methane

an odorless, colorless, flammable, explosive gas, CH, produced by anaerobically decomposing MSW at landfills.

Mill-Ready Cullet

refers to crushed and whole contaminant-free scrap container glass that complies with the proper Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. glass specifications. (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc., 1996)

Mining Waste

refers to residues resulting from the extraction of raw materials from the earth. (Sullivan, 1993)

Minor Appliances

see Small Appliances.

Mixed Glass

refers to recovered container glass that is not sorted into specific categories (color and grade).

Mixed Metals

refers to recovered metal that is not sorted into specific categories (aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, other ferrous, and other nonferrous).

Mixed Municipal Solid Waste

refers to municipal solid waste that is not sorted into specific categories (plastics, glass, and yard trimmings).

Mixed Paper

refers to recovered paper that is not sorted into specific categories (old magazines, old newspapers, and old corrugated containers).

Mixed Plastic

refers to recovered plastic that is not sorted into specific categories (HDPE, LDPE, and PETE).

Mulching

refers to the process by which the volume of organic waste is reduced through shredding or grinding.

Municipal Sludge

refers to the semiliquid residue remaining from the treatment of municipal water and wastewater. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

refers to wastes such as durable goods, nondurable goods, containers and packaging, food scraps, yard trimmings, and miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources, such as appliances, automobile tires, old newspapers, clothing, disposable tableware, office and classroom paper, wood pallets, and cafeteria wastes. Excludes solid wastes from other sources, such as construction and demolition debris, autobodies, municipal sludges, combustion ash, and industrial process wastes that might also be disposed of in municipal waste landfills or incinerators. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

N

Natural Disaster Debris

refers to wastes resulting from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters. Excludes wastes resulting from heavy storms. Natural disaster debris is classified as construction and demolition debris.

New Scrap

material which is discarded during a manufacturing pr processing operation and which cannot be directly fed back to that operation.

Nonferrous Metals

refers to nonmagnetic metals such as aluminum, lead, and copper. Products made from nonferrous metals include containers and packaging such as beverage cans, food and other nonfood cans; nonferrous metals found in appliances, furniture, electronic equipment; and nonpackaging aluminum products (foil, closures, and lids from bimetal cans). Excludes lead-acid batteries and nonferrous metals from industrial applications and construction and demolition debris. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Nonhazardous Industrial Process Waste

refers to waste that is neither municipal solid waste nor considered a hazardous waste under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, such as certain types of manufacturing wastes and wastewaters. (U.S. EPA, 1996a)

O

Office Paper

refers to high-grade papers such as copier paper, computer printout, and stationery. These papers are almost entirely made of uncoated chemical pulp, although some amounts of groundwood are used. It should be noted that this category of paper also is generated at locations other than offices, such as homes and institutions (schools).

Oil and Gas Waste

refers to gas and oil drilling muds, oil production brines, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil or natural gas. (U.S. EPA, 1995a)

Old Corrugated Containers (OCC)

refers to corrugated containers made from unbleached, unwaxed paper with a ruffled (corrugated) inner liner. (U.S. EPA, 1993a)

Old Magazines

refers to dry, coated magazines, catalogues, and similar printed materials. (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc., 1996)

Old Newspaper

refers to periodicals printed on newsprint. Includes groundwood inserts (advertisements). Examples of recycling include processing old newspapers into new paper products (newspaper, paperboard, boxboard, or animal bedding). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Ferrous Metals

refers to ferrous metals from strapping, furniture, and metal found in tires and consumer electronics. Excludes the large quantities of metals found in construction materials or transportation products, such as automobiles, locomotives, and ships. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Glass

refers to glass from furniture, appliances, and consumer electronics. Excludes glass from transportation products and construction and demolition debris. Examples of recycling include processing glass into new glass products such as containers, construction materials (aggregate), or fiberglass (insulation). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Nonferrous Metals

refers to nonferrous metals (lead, copper, and zinc) from appliances, consumer electronics, and nonpackaging aluminum products (foil, closures, and aluminum lids from bimetal cans). Excludes nonferrous metals from industrial applications and construction and demolition debris. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Paper

refers to paper from books, third class mail, other commercial printing, paper towels, paper plates and cups, other nonpackaging paper (posters, photographic papers, cards, and games), milk cartons, folding boxes (cereal boxes), bags, wrapping papers, and other paper and paperboard products. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Plastic

refers to plastic from appliances, furniture, trash bags, cups, eating utensils, sporting and recreational equipment, and other nonpackaging plastic products. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Recyclables

refers to household hazardous waste, oil filters, fluorescent tubes, mattresses, consumer electronics, circuit boards, and other miscellaneous recyclable items found in municipal solid waste that cannot be otherwise categorized.

Other Solid Waste

refers to nonhazardous solid wastes, other than municipal solid waste, covered under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, such as municipal sludge, industrial nonhazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, agricultural waste, oil and gas waste, and mining waste. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Other Wood

refers to wood from furniture, cabinets from consumer electronics, and other nonpackaging wood products. Excludes wood recovered from construction and demolition activities (lumber and tree stumps) and industrial process waste (shavings and sawdust). Examples of recycling include processing wood into mulch, compost additive, or animal bedding. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Over-issue Publications (Over-issues)

refers to printed publications, such as newspapers and magazines, that are defined as unsold inventory by the publisher. Overissues are not considered postconsumer waste.

Ozone Depletion

destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, into the environment.

P

Pallet

refers to a portable platform made of wood or plastic lumber used for storing or moving cargo or freight. (National Wooden Pallet and Container Association)

Paper

refers to paper products and materials such as old newspapers, old magazines, office papers, telephone directories, old corrugated containers, bags, and some paperboard packaging. Examples of recycling include processing paper into new paper products (tissue, paperboard, hydromulch, animal bedding, or insulation materials). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Paperboard

general term for heavyweight grades of paper that are used for containers, boxes, cartons and packaging materials. It is divided into: Containerboard, Boxboard and Other Paperboard.

Paper Processor

refers to an intermediate operating facility where recovered paper products and materials are sorted, cleaned of contaminants, and prepared for final recycling. Examples include paper stock dealers and paper packers.

Paper stock

scrap or waste papers that have been sorted and baled into specific grades. It is commonly used interchangeably with the term waste paper.

PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

refers to a thermoplastic material used to manufacture plastic soft drink containers and rigid containers. PETE has a high melting point, is clear in its natural state, and has a relatively high density. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)

Plastic

refers to plastic containers and packaging made from various resins, including PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, and PS. Excludes plastics in transportation (automobiles) and construction products (PVC piping). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Plastic Processor

refers to an intermediate operating facility where recovered plastic products and materials are sorted, cleaned of contaminants, and prepared for final recycling. Examples include plastics handlers and plastics reclaimers.

Plastics Handler

refers to companies that prepare recyclable plastics by sorting, baling, shredding, granulating, and/or storing plastics until a sufficient quantity is on hand. (American Plastics Council, 1996)

Plastics Reclaimer

refers to companies that further process plastics after the handling stage by performing at least one of the following functions: washing/cleaning, pelletizing, or producing a new product. (American Plastics Council, 1996)

Postconsumer Materials/Waste

refers to recovered materials that have been used as a consumer item and are diverted from municipal solid waste for the purpose of collection, recycling, and disposition (aluminum beverage cans, plastic bottles, old newspapers, and yard trimmings). Excludes materials from industrial processes that have not reached the consumer, such as glass broken in the manufacturing process or overissues of newspapers and magazines. (U.S. EPA, 1994d, 1995c)

Pollution

contamination of soil, water, or the atmosphere by the discharge of waste or other offensive materials.

PP (Polypropylene)

refers to a plastic polymer formed by linking propylene molecules. PP has good resistance to heat and is used in flexible and rigid packaging, film, and textiles. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)

Polystyrene (PS)

Plastic with a smooth surface that cracks easily when bent. Used for fast food packaging, styrofoam cups and packing peanuts, it takes up a large part of landfill space because of its bulk. Often referred to as No. 6 Plastic.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Environmentally indestructible plastic that releases toxic hydrocloric acid when burned. It is used for food wraps and containers for personal care products. Often referred to as V-3 or No. 3 Plastic.

Post-Consumer

materials (waste or recyclables) left after the use of a product purchase by a consumer. A plastic milk jug is post-consumer waste, it is what is left after the consumer uses up the primary product.

Pre-consumer Materials/Waste

refers to materials generated in manufacturing and converting processes, such as manufacturing scrap and trimmings/cuttings. Also includes print overruns, overissue publications (newspapers and magazines), and obsolete inventories. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)

Pre-cycle

Source reduction option whereby evaluation and selection of items for purchase is dependent upon method of manufacture, product content and recyclability of product after consumer use.

Print Overruns

refers to a quantity of paper that is printed beyond the quantity specified. (Walden-Mott, 1981)

Processors

refers to intermediate operators that handle recyclable materials from collectors and generators for the purpose of preparing materials for recycling (material recovery facilities, scrap metal yards, paper dealers, and glass beneficiation plants). Processors act as intermediaries between collectors and end users of recovered materials.

R

Recovery

refers to the diversion of materials from the municipal solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling or composting. Excludes reuse and source reduction activities such as yard trimmings diverted to backyard (onsite) composting, the repair of wood pallets, and the refilling of beverage containers. (U.S. EPA 1996b)

Recyclables

products that can be used again in the manufacture of new products rather than being discarded after consumption. The "recyclable" symbol on many products is sometimes misunderstood. Unless specified, products with the recyclable label may contain no recycled content. Common examples are paper, glass, aluminum, corrugated cardboard, and plastic containers.

Recycled

any product that is reused or manufactured with materials diverted from the waste stream, either pre-consumer or post-consumer.

Recycled Materials

materials that are use in place of raw or virgin materials in manufacturing a new product.

Recycling

refers to the series of activities by which discarded materials are collected, sorted, processed, and converted into raw materials and used in the production of new products. Excludes the use of these materials as a fuel substitute or for energy production. (National Recycling Coalition, 1995)

Recycling Plant

refers to a facility where recovered materials are remanufactured into new products.

Redemption Program

refers to a program where consumers are monetarily compensated for the collection of recyclable materials, generally through pre-paid deposits or taxes on beverage containers. In some states or localities, legislation has been passed to implement redemption programs to assist in the prevention of roadside litter (bottle bills).

Refuse Reclamation

transformation of solid waste into useful products, such as soil conditioners or recycled materials.

Regrind

Ground up recyclable plastics.

Residential Waste

refers to waste generated by single- and multi-family homes including old newspapers, clothing, disposable tableware, food packaging, cans and bottles, food scraps, and yard trimmings. Excludes food scraps and yard trimmings that are diverted to backyard (onsite) composting. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Residues

refers to the materials remaining after processing, incineration, composting, or recycling have been completed. Residues are usually disposed of in landfills. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

Resource Recovery

any process of obtaining matter or energy from materials formerly discarded.

Respondent

refers to the state, locality, or individual that completes a recycling measurement survey form.

Reuse

refers to the use of a product or component of municipal solid waste in its original form more than once. Examples include refilling glass or plastic bottles, repairing wood pallets, using corrugated or plastic containers for storage, and returning milk crates. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)

S

Scrap

that portion of solid waste which can be economically recycled.

Scrap Metal Processor

refers to an intermediate operating facility where recovered metal is sorted, cleaned of contaminants, and prepared for final recycling. Examples include scrap metal yards and scrap metal dealers.

Solid Waste

non-soluble, discarded solid materials, including sewage sludge, municipal garbage, industrial wastes, agricultural refuse, demolition wastes and mining residues.

Solid Waste Management

the handling of activities which provide for the collection, separation, storage, transport, transfer, processing, recycling, incineration, treatment and disposal of solid waste.

Small (Minor) Appliances

refers to many different types, sizes, and styles of electric fans, coffee makers, electric irons, food mixers, etc. Aluminum and plastic are the predominant materials used in small appliances. (U.S. EPA, 1995d)

Source Reduction

refers to the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials, such as products and packaging, to reduce the amount or toxicity of materials before they enter the municipal solid waste management system, such as redesigning products or packaging to reduce the quantity of materials or the toxicity of the materials used; reusing products or packaging already manufactured; and lengthening the life of products to postpone disposal. Examples include donating food to food banks, diverting food scraps and yard trimmings through backyard (onsite) composting, and reusing plastic pallets. Also referred to as waste prevention. (U.S. EPA 1996b)

Source Separation

the sorting of specific waste materials prior to their collection or deposition into a collection container.

Surveyor

refers to the state, locality, or individual responsible for the collection of recycling measurement data through the use of survey forms.

T

Telephone Directories

refers to telephone directories printed on paper with high groundwood content. Other directories, such as zip code and area code directories, are included in this category when they are printed on the same type of paper.

Textiles

refers to fibers from discarded apparel, furniture, linens (sheets and towels), and carpets. Examples of recycling include converting apparel and linens into wiper rags and processing textiles into new products (linen paper or carpet padding). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Tin/Steel Cans

refers to tin-coated steel containers such as cans used for food packaging. (U.S. EPA, 1993a)

Tipping Fee

Charge for the unloading or dumping of waste at a recycling facility, composting facility, landfill, transfer station or waste to energy facility.

Tire Processor

refers to an intermediate operating facility where recovered tires are processed in preparation for recycling.

Tires

refers to passenger car and light- and heavy-duty truck tires. Excludes high-speed industrial tires (from airplanes), bus tires, motorcycle tires, and special service tires, such as military, agricultural, off-road, and slowspeed industrial tires (from construction vehicles). Examples of recycling include processing car and truck tires into new rubber products (trash cans, storage containers, and rubberized asphalt), and the use of whole tires for playground and reef construction. (U.S. EPA, 1994b)

Transfer Station

refers to a facility where solid waste is transferred from collection vehicles to larger trucks or rail cars for longer distance transport. (U.S. Congress, 1989)

Tree Stumps

refers to the portion of a tree remaining after it has been cut. Tree stumps are categorized as yard trimmings when found in municipal solid waste. Otherwise, tree stumps are generally found in, and categorized as, construction and demolition debris. (Mish et al., 1988)

U

Unit-Based Pricing/Pay-As-You-Throw

refers to a system under which residents pay for municipal solid waste management services per unit of waste (by weight or volume) collected rather than through a fixed fee. (U.S. EPA, 1994c)

Used Oil

refers to spent motor oil from passenger cars and trucks that is collected at specified locations for recycling. Used oil is excluded from the category of municipal solid waste.

V

Virgin Materials

any basic material for industrial processing that has not been previously used, such as petroleum for plastics manufacturing, iron ore for steel manufacturing, and wood pulp for paper manufacturing.

Vermiculture

a relatively cool, aerobic composting process that uses worms and microorganisms, also know as worm culture.

W

Waste Characterization Studies

refers to the identification and measurement (by weight or volume) of specific categories of municipal solid waste materials (glass, plastic, and metals) for the purpose of projecting landfill capacity, determining best management practices and developing cost-effective recycling programs. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Waste Generation

refers to the amount (weight or volume) of materials and products that enter the waste stream before recycling, composting, landfilling, or combustion takes place. (U.S. EPA 1996b)

Waste Stream

refers to the total flow of solid waste from homes, businesses, institutions, and manufacturing plants that must be recycled, incinerated, or disposed of in landfills; or any segment thereof, such as the "residential waste stream" or the "recyclable waste stream." (U.S. EPA, 1989)

Waste-To-Energy Facility/Combustor

refers to a facility where recovered municipal solid waste is converted into a usable form of energy, usually through combustion. (U.S. EPA, 1995b)

Water Table

level below the earth's surface at which the ground becomes saturated with water.

Wetland

an area that is regularly wet or flooded and has a water table that stands at or above the land surface for at least part of the year.

White Goods

refers to major appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, air conditioners, and washing machines. Also see Major Appliances and Bulky Waste. (U.S. EPA, 1989)

White Ledger

refers to printed or unprinted sheets of white sulphite or sulphate ledger, bond, writing paper, and all other papers which have a similar fiber and filler content. (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc., 1994)

Wood Packaging

refers to wood products such as pallets, crates, and barrels. Excludes wood from furniture and other nonpackaging wood products. Examples of recycling include processing wood into new products (mulch and compost). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)

Y

Yard Trimmings

refers to grass, leaves, tree branches and brush, and tree stumps from residential, institutional, and commercial sources. Examples of recycling include processing yard trimmings into compost, mulch, or other similar uses, and landspreading leaves (when the depth of the application

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Sources used to compile this list:

www.gdrc.org/uem/waste/swm-glossary.html
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, www.deq.state.ok.us
Recycling Council of BC rcbc.bc.ca
Republic Trash Hauling