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What are the Different Types of Waste Management Services?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

Waste management services are businesses or agencies that deal with unwanted materials. There are numerous types of waste, which tend to require various methods of handling and disposal. Some companies only specialize in a single aspect of this business. Others may offer a range of waste management services, such as residential waste disposal, landfill management, and recycling services.

When people are in their homes, they usually throw unwanted items into their trash cans. When those receptacles are full, they may move the garbage to larger trash bins. These, however, would also become full if they are not emptied periodically. Many locales offer residential waste removal services that haul away general household waste. Businesses may use these services as well, but waste generated by businesses if often handled separately.

Trash collection is a part of waste management.
Trash collection is a part of waste management.

In some places, residential waste management services are not so convenient. People must store their garbage until they have the will and means to transport it. Then, they can take the garbage to a dumping site, which can be managed by a private company or a municipality.

Whether the waste is picked up or transported by residents, there is often waste that cannot be disposed by either means. Large items, such as an old couch or ceiling rafters, generally cannot be placed into a garbage truck or left at a dumping site. This sort of waste requires bulk disposal services.

A waste management facility typically handles recycling.
A waste management facility typically handles recycling.

A great deal of waste tends to be disposed of through pipes connected to toilets, sinks, and drains. If that waste is transported to a septic tank, there are waste management services that will periodically come and pump out the septic tank. When the pipes are connected to a sewer system, the waste goes to water waste facilities.

These waste management services provide a series of functions. First, they act as intake centers, receiving incoming flows of materials. Second, they filter out the waste and purify the water. Then, they act as shipping centers by sending the clean water back to people who need it.

Much of the waste collected by various services ends up combined in a landfill.
Much of the waste collected by various services ends up combined in a landfill.

Hazardous materials also need special disposal methods. Items such as oil, paint, or chemicals are not usually accepted by standard garbage services. Hazardous waste management services are available to control refuse that can pose risks to the environment or human health. Sometimes hazardous waste, such as needles and old hospital sheets, are sent to incineration services that destroy them with fire.

Some waste management services are responsible for pumping septic tanks.
Some waste management services are responsible for pumping septic tanks.

Much of the waste gathered by various services ends up combined in a landfill. There are waste management services that engineer and manage these facilities. A landfill is often little more than a massive cavity in the ground filled with garbage and then covered once it reaches capacity.

Sometimes waste that can be reused is separated from the rest. Such items include plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and Styrofoam cups. These items are sorted and sent to facilities that will use them to make new products. These waste management services are often very popular in countries that have limited space for storing garbage.

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anon164278

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    • Trash collection is a part of waste management.
      By: Goss Vitalij
      Trash collection is a part of waste management.
    • A waste management facility typically handles recycling.
      By: Moultipix
      A waste management facility typically handles recycling.
    • Much of the waste collected by various services ends up combined in a landfill.
      By: atm2003
      Much of the waste collected by various services ends up combined in a landfill.
    • Some waste management services are responsible for pumping septic tanks.
      By: gozzoli
      Some waste management services are responsible for pumping septic tanks.
    • Some large hospitals have entire staff teams tasked with managing the collection and destruction of medical waste.
      By: Keith Frith
      Some large hospitals have entire staff teams tasked with managing the collection and destruction of medical waste.
    • Sewage treatment plants clean waste water with special filtering chemicals.
      By: antiksu
      Sewage treatment plants clean waste water with special filtering chemicals.
    • Proper disposal of used needles is one type of waste management.
      By: Africa Studio
      Proper disposal of used needles is one type of waste management.