Glossary

A collection of unwanted items, rubbish and food waste that must be disposed of in some way. Garbage comes from homes, businesses, schools and government agencies. It is typically disposed of in some sort of receptacle, like a trash can or a dumpster, until it is collected by a professional waste management service. Some types of garbage, like hazardous waste, must be disposed of using very specific methods and are best handled by waste professionals.

Biodegradable waste that eventually decomposes and can be used as a natural landscape material in parks and yards. Some examples of green waste include grass clippings, flower cuttings and food waste. The decomposition of such materials is known as compost and offers a host of benefits to outdoor environments, such as food for plants and soil conditioning. Green waste also releases substances known as bio-gas, which, if captured appropriately, can be transformed into bio-fuel.