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Waste Generation: ~150,000–170,000 tonnes MSW daily (~55–62 million tonnes/year).Recycling Rate: ~20-30% of waste processed; plastic recycling 60-70%Waste Management Challenges: Collection gaps (~25-30% waste uncollected), informal recycling, landfill pollutionSources: CPCB 2023, Ministry of Environment 2023
Waste Generation: ~7,400 tonnes MSW daily (~2.7 million tonnes/year)Recycling Rate: ~60% recycling rateWaste Management Challenges: Limited landfill space, focus on waste-to-energy, extensive public educationSources: NEA Singapore, 2023
Waste Generation: ~27,000 tonnes MSW daily (~9.8 million tonnes/year).Recycling Rate: ~30-40% estimated recyclingWaste Management Challenges: Urban waste management pressure, growing plastic waste, improving formal sectorSources: Pollution Control Department Thailand, 2023
Waste Generation: ~292 million tonnes MSW annually (~800,000 tonnes/day).Recycling Rate: ~32-35% recycling rateWaste Management Challenges: Large waste volumes, landfill dependency, plastic waste challengeSources: EPA 2023, USGS
Waste Generation: ~75.8 million tonnes/yearRecycling Rate: ~60% recycling rateWaste Management Challenges: Export bans on recyclables, contamination in recycling streamsSources: National Waste Report 2022
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Waste Category* —Please choose an option—OrganicInorganicPlasticPaperMetalGlassE-WasteBiomedicalConstruction & DemolitionTextileRubber/TyreHazardous (chemicals, paints, solvents)MarineNot Sure
Organic Items* —Please choose an option—Food wasteGreen wasteAgricultural wasteAnimal wasteWood & sawdustCompostable packagingFruit & vegetable peels
Inorganic Items* —Please choose an option—Ceramics & potteryStones & pebblesSoil & sandSynthetic materialsConstruction debris
Plastic Items* —Please choose an option—Bottles/Containers (PET)Milk jugs, Detergent bottles (HDPE)Pipes, Vinyl (PVC)Plastic bags, Shrink wrap (LDPE)Food containers, Bottle caps (PP)Styrofoam, Disposable cutlery (PS)Chips packets, Laminated pouches (Multi-layered plastics)If compostable (Bioplastics)
Paper Items* —Please choose an option—Office paperNewspapers & magazinesCardboard boxesPaperboard (cereal boxes)Shredded paperPaper packagingWax-coated/laminated paper
Metal Items* —Please choose an option—Aluminium cans & foilSteel & tin cansCopper wire & tubingBrass & bronze itemsLead-based productsScrap metal from appliances & vehicles
Glass Items* —Please choose an option—Clear glass bottles/jarsColoured glassTempered glassGlasswareBroken glassLaminated/treated glass
E-waste Items* —Please choose an option—Consumer electronicsHome appliancesBatteriesCables & chargersCircuit boardsPrinter cartridgesMedical electronic devices
Biomedical* —Please choose an option—Needles, SyringesTissues, organs (Pathological waste)Masks, Gloves, Gowns (Contaminated PPE)Expired medicines (Pharmaceutical waste)Slides, petri dishes (Laboratory waste)Blood-soaked materials
Construction & Demolition Items* —Please choose an option—Concrete & cement debrisBricks & tilesWood beams & planksMetal scrapsAsphaltGypsum boardsRoofing materials
Textile Items* —Please choose an option—Natural fabricsSynthetic fabricsBlended fabricsOld clothes & linensIndustrial textile wasteUpholstery & carpets
Rubber Items* —Please choose an option—Automobile tyresIndustrial rubber beltsRubber hosesRubber footwearRubber floor matsSeals & gaskets
Hazardous Items* —Please choose an option—Paint & varnish wastePesticides & herbicidesCleaning chemicalsSolvents & thinnersIndustrial lubricantsCorrosive acids/basesAerosols
Marine Items* —Please choose an option—Discarded fishing netsFishing lines & ropesBuoys & floatsPlastic crates & containersShip maintenance wasteSeaweed & organic marine debris
Mixed / Not Sure Items* —Please choose an option—Co-mingled recyclablesGeneral household trashUnsorted commercial wasteEvent/venue wasteStreet sweepings
Quantity* —Please choose an option—Handful1-2 Bags3-5 BagsCar bootPickup/Truckload
Recyclability* —Please choose an option—RecyclableNon-RecyclableCompostableResidualNot Sure
Hazard Level* —Please choose an option—HazardousNon-HazardousInfectiousToxicFlammableNot Sure
Source of Waste* —Please choose an option—HouseholdIndustrialCommercialHealthcareAgriculturalInstitutionMarineMunicipality
Preferred Disposal Method* —Please choose an option—RecyclingCompostingIncinerationLandfillEPR
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Recycling and waste management are not just about throwing things into different bins — they’re about understanding what each type of waste is made of, how it behaves in the environment, and why it matters to keep it out of landfills. Below are the 14 main categories of waste that play a crucial role in sustainable waste handling.
Organic waste comes from natural sources and can decompose over time through natural processes. This includes food scraps, fruit and vegetable peels, garden leaves, grass clippings, and agricultural residue. When managed correctly, organic matter returns essential nutrients to the soil, supports plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. However, if left to rot in landfills, it produces methane — a potent greenhouse gas — making composting or controlled decomposition vital.
Inorganic waste refers to materials that are not derived from living organisms and do not easily break down in nature. Examples include ceramics, gravel, sand, bricks, and certain types of construction fill. Although they don’t biodegrade, some inorganic materials can be reused in road building, landscaping, or as filler material in construction. Their durability makes them valuable for repurposing, but they must be managed to avoid unnecessary landfill buildup.
Plastic is one of the most versatile yet problematic materials in the waste stream. Found in bottles, packaging films, household goods, and containers, it is lightweight, durable, and cheap — but it can take hundreds of years to degrade. Sorting plastics into categories such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PVC is essential for efficient recycling. Mismanaged plastic often ends up in oceans, harming wildlife and entering the food chain through microplastics.
Paper and cardboard are among the easiest materials to recycle. Items like newspapers, magazines, office paper, corrugated boxes, and cartons can be pulped and reprocessed multiple times before their fibers weaken. Recycling paper saves trees, reduces water use, and lowers carbon emissions compared to producing new paper from raw pulp. However, contaminated paper (e.g., greasy pizza boxes) often cannot be recycled.
Metals, such as aluminum, steel, copper, and brass, are highly recyclable without losing their structural properties. Aluminum cans, for example, can be melted and turned into new cans indefinitely. Recycling metals conserves natural ore resources, saves significant energy, and reduces mining-related environmental damage. Because of their high value, metals are one of the most sought-after waste streams for recovery.
Glass is a unique material because it can be recycled infinitely without losing quality. Bottles, jars, and sheet glass are common items in this category. When recycled, glass is crushed into cullet, melted, and reshaped into new products. Separating glass by color — clear, green, and brown — improves the quality of recycled glass. It is heavy and non-biodegradable, but entirely sustainable when properly processed.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes discarded items like computers, mobile phones, televisions, printers, and batteries. These devices contain valuable metals such as gold, silver, and copper, as well as hazardous substances like lead and mercury. Safe recycling prevents toxic leakage into soil and water while recovering precious materials. With technology turnover increasing, e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste categories.
Biomedical waste comes from hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and veterinary facilities. Examples include syringes, used bandages, surgical instruments, and pathological waste. Because it can contain infectious agents or harmful chemicals, biomedical waste requires careful segregation and sterilization before disposal. Proper handling protects healthcare workers, sanitation staff, and the general public from disease transmission.
Construction and demolition waste is generated from building, renovating, and demolishing structures. It includes concrete, bricks, tiles, wood, gypsum, and metals. While large in volume, much of this waste can be crushed and reused for new construction, road base, or landscaping. Proper sorting at construction sites greatly improves recycling rates and reduces landfill pressure.
Textile waste covers clothing, bed linens, curtains, carpets, and manufacturing scraps from the fashion and upholstery industries. While natural fibers like cotton and wool can biodegrade, synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon can persist in the environment for decades. Many textiles can be reused, upcycled, or processed into industrial materials like insulation or cleaning cloths.
Rubber waste primarily comes from worn-out tyres, rubber hoses, footwear, and industrial rubber components. Tyres are bulky and non-biodegradable but can be shredded into crumb rubber for playground surfaces, sports fields, or used as fuel in certain industrial processes. Recycling rubber reduces landfill waste and prevents environmental hazards like tyre fires.
Hazardous waste contains substances that are dangerous to health or the environment. This includes leftover paints, solvents, pesticides, acids, and cleaning chemicals. These materials can contaminate soil, air, and water if not managed properly. They require specialized containment, transportation, and treatment to neutralize risks.
Marine and fishing waste includes discarded fishing nets, ropes, traps, and other debris from the fishing industry. Known as “ghost gear,” these materials can entangle marine animals and damage coral reefs. Recycling programs for fishing gear are emerging to convert waste into usable products while reducing harm to ocean ecosystems.
Mixed waste refers to garbage containing a combination of different materials that have not been sorted. This could be household trash where plastic, paper, and food waste are all together. Mixed waste is more difficult and costly to recycle because it requires sorting before processing. Encouraging source separation is key to reducing this category.