Glossary of useful terms
Avoid. To create less waste.
Building and demolition waste. Waste from building, construction and demolition.
Castings. Substance shed or dropped by an earthworm. Makes a rich organic fertiliser.
Compost. The end product of breaking down organic matter such as plant and animal scraps into the original nutrient form. Rich earth-like soil.
Garbage dump. Land where waste is dumped and later buried.
See also landfill and rubbish tip.
Green waste. Waste from the garden and food scraps.
Hazardous waste. Harmful to human and animal health and to the environment.
Household waste. Waste created in the home.
Commercial and Industrial waste. Waste from offices, factories, shops and hospitals.
Landfill. Land where waste is dumped and later buried.
ee also garbage dump and rubbish tip.
Leachate. Liquid waste from landfill formed when water and other liquids pass through the layers of waste. Leachate must be treated before it can be disposed.
Organic. Made from living plants and animals.
Recycle. To process an old product into a new one.
Reduce. To create less waste.
Re-use. To use a product again for the same use or a different use without going through any processing.
Resources. Raw materials used to make products.
Rubbish tip. Land where waste is dumped and later buried.
See also landfill and garbage dump.
Solvent. A substance used to dissolve another substance. eg, bleach and methylated spirits.
Toxic. Poisonous
Transfer station. A place where waste is collected and transferred to a larger truck that takes it to the rubbish tip. Also a drop off point for collecting some items that can be recycled or re-used.
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Page last updated: 27 February 2011
