Term

Definition

Combustion:

Burning, or rapid oxidation, accompanied by release of energy in the form of heat and light; refers to controlled burning of waste, in which heat chemically alters organic compounds, converting into stable inorganic's such as carbon dioxide and water.

Combustion Product:

Substance produced during the burning or oxidation of a material.

Composting:

The controlled biological decomposition of organic material in the presence of air to form a humus-like material. Controlled methods of composting include mechanical mixing and aerating, ventilating the materials by dropping them through a vertical series of aerated chambers, or placing the compost in piles out in the open air and mixing it or turning it periodically.

Diversion Rate:

The percentage of waste materials diverted from traditional disposal such as landfilling or incineration to be recycled, composted, or re-used.

Incineration:

A treatment technology involving destruction of waste by controlled burning at high temperatures; e.g., burning sludge to remove the water and reduce the remaining residues to a safe, non-burnable ash that can be disposed of safely on land, in some waters, or in underground locations.

Recycle/Reuse:

Minimizing waste generation by recovering and reprocessing usable products that might otherwise become waste (.i.e. recycling of aluminum cans, paper, and bottles, etc.).

Recycling Process:

Collecting and processing secondary materials; manufacturing recycled-content products; purchasing recycled products (creates a circle or loop that ensures the overall success and value of recycling).

Reuse:

Using a product or component of municipal solid waste in its original form more than once; e.g., refilling a glass bottle that has been returned or using a coffee can to hold nuts and bolts.

Waste:

Unwanted materials left over from a manufacturing process; refuse from places of human or animal habitation.

Waste Feed:

The continuous or intermittent flow of wastes into an incinerator.

Waste Generation:

The weight or volume of materials and products that enter the waste stream before recycling, composting, landfilling, or combustion takes place. Also can represent the amount of waste generated by a given source or category of sources.

Waste Minimization:

Measures or techniques that reduce the amount of wastes generated during industrial production processes; term is also applied to recycling and other efforts to reduce the amount of waste going into the waste stream.

Waste Reduction:

Using source reduction, recycling, or composting to prevent or reduce waste generation.

Waste-to-Energy Facility/Municipal-Waste Combustor:

Facility where recovered municipal solid waste is converted into a usable form of energy, usually via combustion.