Across the country, many communities, businesses, and individuals have found creative ways to reduce and better
manage Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)/Garbage through a coordinated mix of practices that includes source
reduction, recycling (including composting), and disposal. The most environmentally sound management of MSW
is achieved when these approaches are implemented according to EPA's preferred order: source reduction first,
recycling and composting second, and disposal in landfills or waste combustors last.
In 2001, U.S. residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 229 million tons of MSW, which is
approximately 4.4 pounds of waste per person per day, up from 2.7 pounds per person per day in 1960. Several MSW
management practices, such as source reduction, recycling, and composting, prevent or divert materials from the
wastestream. Source reduction involves altering the design, manufacture, or use of products and materials to reduce
the amount and toxicity of what gets thrown away. Recycling diverts items, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metals,
from the wastestream. These materials are sorted, collected, and processed and then manufactured, sold, and bought
as new products. Composting decomposes organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, with micro-
organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi), producing a humus-like substance. Other practices address those materials
that require disposal. Landfills are engineered areas where waste is placed into the land. Landfills usually have liner
systems and other safeguards to prevent groundwater contamination. Combustion is another MSW practice that has
helped reduce the amount of landfill space needed. Combustion facilities burn MSW at a high temperature, reducing
aste volume and generating electricity. |