Solid waste

Geography glossary

Also called: Municipal solid waste, Garbage · Topic: Geographical Issues: Pollution, Urban Waste, Slums and Land Degradation · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 9 "Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems"

Meaning

Solid waste is old and used things that people throw away, such as metal scraps, broken glass, plastic containers, polythene bags, ash and CDs. It is also called refuse, garbage or rubbish. It comes from households and from industries and shops. When it is left uncollected, it smells bad and breeds flies and rodents. These spread typhoid, diphtheria, diarrhoea, malaria and cholera. NCERT says waste should be treated as a resource that can be turned into energy and compost.

Example

Metro cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru collect about 90% of their solid waste. Many smaller towns leave 30–50% of theirs uncollected. At Mahim in Mumbai, untreated garbage rots slowly and gives off methane.

Don't confuse with

  • Pollutant vs waste: solid waste becomes a source of land and water pollution only when it is not handled properly.

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