Introductionsolid waste, discarded materials other than fluids.
In the United States in 1996, nearly 210 million tons—about 4.3
lb. (2 kg) per person daily (up from 2.7 lb./1.2 kg in
1960)—were collected and disposed of by municipalities. In that
year, municipal garbage included 12.4 million tons of glass and
about 80 million tons of paper and paperboard (by far the
largest constituent); in addition enormous tonnages of food
residues, yard trimmings, textiles, plastics, and sludge formed
in sewage treatment were produced. Although the amount of the
increase has been slowed somewhat by recycling and composting
programs and improvements in packaging, the amount of solid
waste continues to increase annually. Moreover, the most common
disposal methods pollute land, water, or air to some degree (see
pollution). Management of solid waste therefore presents an
increasingly acute problem. See more Encyclopedia articles on:
Environmental Studies