Garbage

Garbage is a term used to describe discarded materials and substances that originate from households, businesses, institutions, and industries. In everyday language, garbage often refers to wet, kitchen, or organic waste, while dry waste is commonly called rubbish or trash; however, terminology varies by country and context. Proper handling and disposal are essential to public health and environmental protection.

Common components include organic waste (food scraps, yard waste), plastics, paper and cardboard, metals, glass, textiles, electronics, and hazardous items such as batteries and solvents. The composition of garbage depends on factors such as income level, consumption patterns, waste collection practices, and local recycling programs.

Most systems involve collection, transport, and processing. Approaches include landfilling, incineration with energy recovery, recycling, composting, and anaerobic digestion. The preferred sequence is the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover energy, and finally dispose. Landfills can generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and may pose leachate risks; incineration can reduce volume but may release air pollutants if not properly controlled. Recycling and composting divert materials from landfills and conserve resources.

Management is typically administered by municipal authorities, though private contractors and informal sectors play roles in many regions. Policies include litter abatement, recycling targets, and extended producer responsibility. Global waste generation is rising with urbanization and consumer demand, presenting challenges for collection, contamination, and sustainable treatment. Efforts toward a circular economy aim to keep materials in use and minimize environmental impact.