Waste refers to any substance or material that is discarded, rejected, or no longer needed. It encompasses a wide range of items, including:
- Solid waste: Includes household trash, commercial and industrial refuse, construction and demolition debris, and sewage sludge.
- Liquid waste: Composed of wastewater from households, industries, and agricultural activities.
- Gaseous waste: Consists of emissions from vehicles, factories, power plants, and other sources.
- Hazardous waste: Poses risks to human health or the environment due to its toxicity, corrosiveness, reactivity, or flammability. This includes chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, and radioactive materials.
- Biodegradable waste: Includes organic materials that can be broken down by microorganisms, such as food scraps, plant trimmings, and paper products.
Waste can be generated from residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and institutional activities. It can have significant environmental, economic, and social impacts if not properly managed.