Question

Explain the types of waste based on its nature and degradation.

Answer 1

Wastes are classified into solid waste and liquid waste.
Solid wastes include the solid portions of the discarded material such as vegetables, fruits, glass bottles, crockery, plastic containers, metals and radioactive wastes. The solid wastes may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
Liquid waste includes effluents of industries, fertilizer and pesticide solutions from agricultural fields, urban runoff of untreated wastewater and garbage, mining wastes etc. Liquid wastes may be non-biodegradable or biodegradable. Some important liquid waste management methods are sewage treatment and removal of ammonia.