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Solid-waste management involves the collection, treatment, and proper disposal of solid waste  discarded from household and industrial activities.
Methods of solid wastes disposal:
1. Segregation:
 
Segregation is the process of separation of different types of waste materials, such as biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
Biodegradable wastes:
Wastes that can be naturally broken downdecomposed and disposed of when buried in soil are called biodegradable wastes.
They can decompose naturally by saprophytes or decomposers without harming the environment. Biodegradable wastes include organic wastes such as vegetable and fruit peels, dried leaves that have fallen out, food leftovers, waste paper, jute articles etc.
 
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Biodegradable wastes
 
Green dustbins collect biodegradable wastes that can be degraded naturally by microorganisms.
 
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Green dustbins to collect biodegradable wastes
 
Non-biodegradable wastes:
Wastes that do not decay or decompose when buried in soil, are called non-biodegradable wastes.
Microorganisms or decomposers cannot break down the non-biodegradable wastes. Removing  non-biodegradable materials is a challenge as they do not decompose and produce poisonous gases when burnt. Plastic bags, plastic articles and containers, glass, metals etc., are examples of non-biodegradable wastes.
 
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Non-biodegradable wastes
 
Blue dustbins are used to collect non-biodegradable wastes.
 
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Blue dustbins to collect non-biodegradable wastes
  
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Collection of various types of solid wastes separately.
  
2. Sanitary landfill:
 
Solid wastes are dumped into low lying areas of the ground. The layers are compacted by trucks to allow settlement. The waste materials get stabilised in around \(2-12\) months. The organic matter undergoes decomposition.
 
Once the landfill is full, it is converted to parksgardens, or playgrounds, as no building can be constructed for approximately \(20\ years\) on top of it.
 
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Landfill