How to Dispose of Solid Municipal Waste
As communities grow, so does municipal solid waste. Municipal solid waste is commonly known as trash or garbage, and is traditionally thrown in landfills. Today there is more than one way to dispose of municipal solid waste, including landfills, burning and composting. Other efforts like recycling and focusing on creating less waste also contribute to disposal efforts. EPA guidelines suggest starting with source reduction and moving through the choices to get rid of different types of waste.
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Instructions
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Reduce the amount of waste produced in your household by buying products with less packaging and buying fewer one-time products, like water bottles and plates.
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Set up a recycling program by creating a recycling bin or a set of bins. Throw any item that is recyclable into the bins. Pay for recycling pickup, or drop off the items at recycling pickup points.
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Compost food items that are biodegradable, like vegetable peelings and egg shells. A compost box can be built in a backyard, or the food leftovers can simply be thrown on a garden or flower bed.
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Set up trash pickup at your home and business by calling the city or county government to request the service. Pay the fee. Sometimes the fee is included with property taxes; other times it comes as a separate bill. Some trash services collect the fee by making customers use special trash bags only sold by the company.
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Throw any leftover items in a trash can. Either take the trash out for the city to pick up at the designated pickup place, usually on the street or in the alley, or drive the trash to a landfill if trash pickup is not offered for your home. Another option is to burn items in a burning barrel, if allowed by city code.
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References
- Photo Credit Wire Trash Can image by Julie F from Fotolia.com
