Waste Glossary

A process where biodegradable material (typically food) is placed in a container and broken down by microorganisms without oxygen. The process produces biogas, a renewable energy which can be used to generate heat and electricity and byproducts known as digestate which can be used as fertiliser and compost.  

The process of capturing carbon dioxide emissions and either using them to make things such as building materials or permanently storing them underground. 

An economic system designed with the intention that maximum use is extracted from resources and minimum waste is generated for disposal.  

Refers to a change in the state of the climate, causing changes in weather patterns on a global scale and for an extended time. Effects include changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, potential droughts, habitat loss and heat stress. 

Closed-loop recycling is a process where waste is collected and recycled to make the same type of product. For example, glass bottles can be remade into more glass bottles. 

Shredded garden waste is placed in elongated heaps, called windrows, normally outdoors. The windrows are turned mechanically every so often to push air into the composting waste. The process takes at least 16 weeks. At the end, the compost weighs around half the original waste and is distributed for agricultural and domestic use. 

The term used for removal or reduction of carbon dioxide output into the atmosphere. We achieve decarbonisation by switching to low carbon energy sources.  

An incineration process that takes residual waste and turns it into electricity. Capturing and using the heat generated significantly increases the overall efficiency of the process and the environmental benefits. 

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. This causes the greenhouse effect. Water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.  

The manufacture of compost material at home (from the breakdown of food and garden waste) using a compost heap, a purpose-made container or a wormery.  

Land in which waste is deposited, often disused quarries. 

Materials that are not collected for recycling at kerbside, recycling centres, through takeback schemes or at community collection points. 

In recovery, a waste treatment process is used to recover energy and new raw materials from the waste. Recovery waste treatment processes include anaerobic digestion and Energy from Waste (EfW). 

The reprocessing of waste materials into the same products or different ones. 

Waste that is not reused, recycled, composted or anaerobically digested.  

Materials that can be used to create products. Resources can be virgin materials or secondary raw materials.  

In the commercial sector – using products designed to be used many times, such as reusable packaging. In homes, reuse includes buying products that use refillable containers or reuse plastic bags. It contributes to sustainable development and can save raw materials, energy and transport costs.  

Sets out the order in which options for waste management should be considered based on environmental impact. It is a legal framework that has become a cornerstone of sustainable waste management.  

Action to prevent waste being produced to reduce or minimise the amount of waste requiring final disposal. Minimising waste saves on collection and disposal costs and helps to reduce the demand for raw materials.