Recycling municipal solid wastes

Municipal refuse contains recoverable materials. It is valued in terms of savings of energy and resources. The percentage of recoverable materials varies in different countries, in different socio-economic compositions and in different seasons. The purpose of recycling is not only to reduce the Waste load in the dumping ground but more to extract some values that we otherwise achieve through the production processes of agriculture, mining and manufacture. Recycling thus supports the slogan of sustainable development. Recycling of wastes is an old practice. But due to many factors recycling is not practiced to its fullest potential. Many formal and informal organisations or individuals are involved in the work of recycling of wastes. Refuse composition is a function of levels of consumption, which is again related to the economic level of the Society. Waste is waste until the recycled and recovered value is more than the cost and labour for recovery. Municipal waste, once thrown out of the individual premises, is the property of the municipal bodies – a burden to the municipal bodies.