Disposing of household refuse

Managing municipal solid waste
Providing domestic refuse disposal
Improving domestic refuse disposal

Description

Disposing of household refuse involves the systematic collection, separation, and removal of domestic waste to prevent health hazards, environmental pollution, and urban blight. Essential actions include sorting recyclables, composting organic matter, and safely discarding hazardous materials. Effective refuse disposal reduces landfill use, curbs disease vectors, and conserves resources. Implementing accessible waste management systems and public education ensures proper participation, directly addressing issues of waste accumulation and its negative impacts on communities and ecosystems.

Context

Municipal waste in OECD countries showed an increase in volume of 11.6% between 1985 and 1990, due principally to the growth of consumption coupled with the amount of packaging material.

All developed and developing countries are facing the problem of disposing of town refuse and municipal waste.

Implementation

In 2000, Toronto households created 920,000 tonnes of waste or about one tonne per household. Seventy-six per cent was sent to land fill and 24 per cent was recycled, composted or re-used. The goal of Task Force 2010 is 30 per cent diversion by 2003, 60 per cent by 2006 and 100 per cent by 2010.