Asbestos

Asbestos is a hazardous carcinogen that should only be handled by licensed asbestos abatement professionals. You cannot visually determine if a product contains asbestos. Both new and old homes may have asbestos in roofing and flooring materials, shingles, drywall, ductwork, plumbing, fireplace materials, and corrugated sheets. The safest way to manage, dispose of, and recycle asbestos is to hire licensed asbestos abatement experts. To learn more about how asbestos is recycled and how professionals safely handle and dispose of asbestos-containing materials, visit Asbestos.com.

Compactor – a type of equipment that uses pressure to compress materials into a dense mass.

Construction & Demolition Debris (C&D) – debris from building materials and solid waste resulting from construction, deconstruction, remodeling, repair, cleanup, or demolition activities. In some cases, these materials can be reused.

Hazardous Waste – a product found in homes (household hazardous waste) or businesses that is ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic (such as used motor oil, oil-based paint, auto batteries, gasoline, or pesticides). These products can harm the environment if disposed of improperly.

Leachate – water that collects contaminants as it passes through waste, pesticides, or fertilizers. Leaching can occur in farming areas, feedlots, and landfills, potentially causing hazardous substances to enter surface water, groundwater, or soil.

Litter – garbage, rubbish, waste material, or animal waste that is improperly disposed of by discarding, abandoning, allowing to accumulate, scattering, or depositing outside an approved container.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) – all garbage and trash produced by residents, businesses, and institutions. It includes everyday items like packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles and cans, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, consumer electronics, and batteries.

Sanitary Landfill – disposal sites for non-hazardous solid waste that is spread in layers, compacted to the smallest practical volume, and covered with material at the end of each operating day.

Waste Hauler – any individual or business that transports waste materials for payment or a fee.