Glossary

This glossary of terms was compiled from a wide range of sources and covers some of the most commonly used waste-related words and abbreviations.

Please select a letter from the A-Z index to find the definition of a term.

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Incineration
The burning of waste at high temperatures in the presence of enough oxygen to achieve complete combustion, either to reduce its volume or its harmfulness. Municipal Solid Waste incinerators recover heat and/or power. The main emissions are carbon dioxide, water and ash residues.

Industrial Waste
Waste generated from industrial premises, such as factories.

Inert Waste
Waste that is not active, meaning that it does not decompose or otherwise change. Chemically inert, non-combustible, non-biodegradable and non-polluting waste as defined in the EU Landfill Directive.

In-vessel Composting
The method of composting that involves the decomposition of organic waste within an enclosed container, where moisture, temperature and odour can be regulated. Produces stable compost more quickly than windrow composting.