Jätteenosia

Jätteenosia, also known as waste fractions or waste streams, refers to the categorization of waste materials based on their composition, properties, and potential for recycling or disposal. This classification is essential for efficient waste management and resource recovery. Waste fractions can be broadly divided into organic and inorganic categories. Organic waste includes biodegradable materials such as food scraps, yard waste, and paper products. Inorganic waste encompasses non-biodegradable materials like plastics, metals, glass, and electronic waste.

The categorization of waste fractions allows for targeted recycling processes. For instance, plastics are sorted by type (e.g., PET, HDPE, PVC) to ensure they are recycled into the appropriate products. Similarly, metals are separated by type (e.g., aluminum, steel, copper) to facilitate recycling into new metal products. Glass, which is 100% recyclable, is sorted by color and type to maintain quality during recycling.

Inorganic waste also includes hazardous materials, which require special handling and disposal methods due to their potential environmental impact. These materials include batteries, fluorescent lamps, and certain chemicals. Proper categorization and handling of hazardous waste fractions are crucial to prevent environmental contamination and health risks.

The categorization of waste fractions is a critical step in the waste management hierarchy, which prioritizes waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery before disposal. By accurately identifying and separating waste fractions, waste management systems can optimize resource recovery, reduce landfill waste, and minimize environmental impact.