SANITARY LANDFILL OPERATIONS - Environmentally Conscious Materials Handling - page 198

or disposal site if the site is located at a significant distance. The transfer
of waste usually takes place at a transfer station. Transfer stations also
house sorting and processing equipment to reduce waste quantities to be
landfilled.
4. Disposal . Disposal involves the placement of the residential wastes col-
lected and transported directly to a landfill site, left over materials from
materials recovery processes, ash from combustion of solid waste, and
other materials from various solid waste-processing facilities.
Proper management of solid waste requires a good estimate of the anticipated
waste composition and quantities. Waste composition depends on a number of
technical, environmental, social, and regulatory factors such as climate, regional
characteristics, demographic characteristics, and local legislation. Waste surveys
are often conducted by communities to understand the impacts of demographic
factors, establish a baseline, and assess impacts of recycling programs.
The data from the surveys are used for five functions:
1. Development of a suitable management plan
2. Identification of changes and trends in composition and quantity of waste
over time for future planning
3. Gathering information for the selection of appropriate equipment and tech-
nology for waste handling
4. Estimation of the amounts and types of material suitable for processing,
recovery, recycling, and landfilling
5. Projection and identification of future waste management needs

3 SOURCES OF SOLID WASTE

Depending on the land-use characteristics of the areas, solid waste can be clas-
sified as follows:
• Domestic/residential waste . This is solid waste generated by single and
multifamily household units as a consequence of household activities (e.g.,
cooking, cleaning, repairs, hobbies, redecoration, empty containers, pack-
aging, clothing, old books, writing/new paper, and old furnishings). These
wastes also include bulky items such as furniture and large appliances that
are discarded.
• Municipal waste . Municipal wastes are generated from municipal activities
such as street sweeping, dead animals, and abandoned vehicles.
• Commercial waste . Commercial waste originate from offices, wholesale
and retail stores, restaurants, hotels, markets, warehouses, and other com-
mercial establishments.

Institutional waste . Institutional wastes are generated by institutions such
as schools, universities, hospitals, and research institutes.

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