What is Municipal Waste Management?

Municipal waste management refers to human waste products, both household and biological, and the ways of dealing with them. This can include the proper storage, cleansing, filtration, and removal of such wastes from society. Such procedures are commonly implemented by the city in specialized locations.

Solid waste is one type of human waste that must be dealt with in order to prevent build-up and overcrowding. This type of waste can include things like garbage; meaning bottles, wrappers, food, and other unused items thrown into cans and dumpsters. Generally these by-products are taken to a landfill where they are kept, and in some cases, eventually burned or compacted to make more room.

Another form of municipal waste management, in terms of solid waste, is recycling. This refers to several methods of cleaning, grinding or melting, and re-using certain solid wastes. The most readily available recycling centers take in plastic, paper, and glass goods. Recycling is the preferable method of municipal waste management, as it prevents the overflow of landfills and helps preserve natural resources.

Biological waste refers to any human excrement that comes about as the result of normal biological functions. What goes down one’s pipes at home or work eventually winds up in the city’s sewer system. At that time, the water is separated from solid materials, filtered, purified, cleansed, and at some point re-used. This process is very delicate and strenuous, but necessary in order to ensure that a city’s water supply is safe for human use.

More progressive ways of municipal waste management can be found with increasing frequency around the globe. These may include the cleansing of solid waste and then the reuse of all items compacted together. Studies have been done on using this trash to build houses for needy families in less fortunate areas of the world. Techniques like these help preserve the Earth in a variety of ways, as well as providing shelter for the new inhabitants of such houses.

Municipal waste management is a necessary part of any society. Citizens can make the jobs of municipal waste handlers and collectors easier by recycling any items where recycling is available and disposing of waste in the proper containers. This ensures that trash does not wind up on city streets or yards.

Another important thing to consider is the disposal of hazardous materials. Hazardous materials can include medical supplies, motor oils, gasoline, and cleaning solvents. Always take these items to the proper disposal facilities. To find one of these locations, check with city officials.