ABSTRACT
This chapter first sets out key definitions for Household Waste collection (including kerbside collection, drop-off, Household Waste Recycling Centres and Dry Recyclables). There is a proposed, clear definition of what “recyclable” should mean.
This is followed by definitions of key terms relating to Household Waste treatment and introduces the Waste Hierarchy and a proposed replacement, the Materials Hierarchy, or the Three Rs (Reduction, Recycling and Recovery).
There is a clear explanation of the difference between recycling and recovery and a discussion of the problem of focusing on recycling as the primary method of Household Waste treatment.
This is followed by a review of the traditional Supply Chain and explains the roles of the players involved in both the Supply Chain and beyond (post-consumer). Also included is an explanation of the roles played by different types of local authorities in the management of Household Waste.
