Page 16 - SGG_220316_Teachers_Handbook_Module_2

3.3. Classification of waste
Depending on the source from which waste comes, it can be classified as:

- Industrial waste: generated by manufacturing or industrial processes. The types of industrial waste
generated include cafeteria garbage, dirt and gravel, masonry and concrete, scrap metals, trash, oil,
solvents, chemicals, weed grass and trees, wood and scrap lumber, and similar wastes.
Page | 16
16
- Municipal waste: collected and treated by or for municipalities. It covers waste from households,
from commerce and trade, office buildings, institutions and small businesses, as well as yard and
garden waste, street sweepings, and the contents of litter containers.

- Medical waste: healthcare waste, often contaminated by body fluids, blood and potentially infectious
materials. Therefore, specific treatment and management is needed. Some health care facilities that
generate medical waste are hospitals, doctor’s offices, dental practices, blood banks, and veterinary
hospitals/clinics, as well as medical research facilities and laboratories.

- Agricultural waste: produced as a result of various agricultural activities. It includes manure and other
wastes from farms, pesticides and herbicides, poultry houses and slaughterhouses.

Municipal Medical

Industrial

Agricultural

Society must dispose it as it can be harmful to human health and the environment. (Randall Seeker,
1991)

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.