ABSTRACT
The production of municipal solid waste (MSW) is as old as mankind itself. Every civilization, from the oldest to the most modern economic society, has had to deal with MSW. Of course, the style of handling is different comparing the earliest civilizations to the 21st century. Not only is the amount of wastes greater, but the composition of wastes is completely different. The industrial revolution between 1750 and 1850 led many people to move from rural areas to cities. The concentration of the inhabitants of towns and cities caused an increase in waste amount. These wastes generated contained a range of materials such a glass, food residue and human waste. An additional problem was the attraction of MSW for fl ies, rats and other vermin which can cause disease transfer. These conditions were very dangerous, and caused an actual threat to human health and the environment.
