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- acre
- an area equal to 43,560 square feet, approximately 0.4 hectares;
an average residential building lot might be 0.5 acres (approximately
150 feet long by 150 feet wide) or 0.2 hectares.
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- acute toxicity
- any poisonous effect produced within a short time after
exposure to a toxic compound, usually within 24 to 96 hours.
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- alkalinity
- the total measurable bases (OH, HCO3, CO3) in a volume of water;
a measure of a material's capacity to neutralize acids.
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- aerobic
- requires oxygen to survive.
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- anaerobic
- does not require oxygen to survive.
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- anemia
- a deficiency in the oxygen carrying material in the blood.
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- astringents
- a compound that constricts the flow of liquid through tissue.
Astringents are sometimes used to make skin less oily.
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- atmosphere
- the gaseous layer that surrounds the earth (air).
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- bimetal container
- a container composed of two metals, typically refers to beverage
containers with steel bodies
and aluminum tops. Steel companies do recycle bimetal cans,
but they are handled differently in the recycling stream than
aluminum cans.
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- biodegradable
- the term given to a substance that can be broken down, i.e.
biodegrades, by the natural processes of decomposition.
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- biosphere
- all living organisms (plant and animal life).
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- browns
- a type of food for composting microbes. It is dry, dead organic
plant matter, such as straw, autumn leaves, and sawdust. Browns
provide the sugars that the microbes need.
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- black water
- water containing liquid and solid human body waste generated
through toilet use.
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- BTU
- British thermal unit - the amount of energy generated by burning
a material. One BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
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- buy-back centers
- centers that pay for recyclables.
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- carcinogenic
- event, condition or effect that produces cancer.
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- chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals used in the manufacture of
aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials,
as solvents, and as refrigerants. In the stratosphere, the
chlorine from CFCs destroys ozone, a gas that absorbs harmful
UV radiation, at the rate of up to 100,000 ozone molecules per
chlorine atom. As of January 1, 1996, most CFC manufacture has
been banned in 148 countries that signed
the Montreal Protocol, a measure to protect the ozone layer.
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- closed loop recycling
- system where materials are continually recycled into the same
product. For example, a glass bottle can be recycled and made into
another glass bottle.
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- combustion
- burn; the controlled burning of municipal solid waste to reduce
volume and, commonly, to recover energy.
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- composting
- the process of converting organic matter into humus. This is
accomplished by microorganisms living under proper conditions.
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- conservation
- the protection and careful use of resources and the environment.
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- consumption
- water that is actually consumed, transpired, or incorporated into
new products as it is used.
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- corrosive
- capable of dissolving or gradually wearing away, especially by
chemical action.
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- consumptive use
- the total amount of water taken up by vegetation for transpiration
or building of plant tissue, plus the unavoidable evaporation of soil
moisture, snow, and intercepted precipitation associated with vegetal
growth.
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- corrugated materials
- generally refers to cardboard.
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- curbside collection
- a method of collecting recyclable materials at individual
homes or places of business by municipal or private parties for
transfer to a designated collection site or recycling facility.
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- decompose
- to separate into constituent parts or into simpler
compounds through chemical change. To rot.
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- degradation
- to wear down, reduce to lower quality, by erosion or reduce the
complexity of a chemical compound.
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- diatomaceous earth
- the ground shells of fossilized single-celled diatoms, a shelled
algae. Their remains drifted down to ancient sea floor, and grinding
them produces sharp edges which shred the outer, protective cuticle on
insects.
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- dioxin
- a carcinogenous compound produced, among other ways, during trash incineration.
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- d-limonene
- a poison, derived from citrus peels, which kills flea larvae and
adult fleas.
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- drop-off
- a method of collecting recyclable materials where individuals
transport the materials to a designated collection site.
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- ecology
- the science of the relationships between organisms and their
environment.
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- environment
- the climatic, edaphic (i.e. related to soil), and biological
factors that surround humans and all other animals, plants, and
ecological communities, and which ultimately determines their form and
survival.
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- EPA
- the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
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- evaporation
- the process in which liquid water is transferred into the
atmosphere.
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- flammable
- capable of being burned.
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- fluorescent light bulbs
- bulbs that emit light as a result of electromagnetic radiation.
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- glossy paper
- paper with clay coating, generally used in magazines and similar
publications.
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- greens
- a type of food for composting microbes. It is fresh (and often
green) plant material such as kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and
weeds. Greens are important providers of nitrogen in the composting
process.
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- grey water
- domestic wastewater other than that containing human excretia. Includes sink drainage, washing machine discharge, and bath water.
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- groundwater
- water beneath the earth's surface at varying depths in reservoirs
called aquifers.
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- half life
- the time required for certain materials, such as persistent
radioactive compounds, to lose half their original amount through
chemically alteration to a new form. The half life of DDT
(a banned pesticide in the USA) is 15 years, the half-life of radium
is 580 years.
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- hardness
- a characteristic of water caused by various salts, calcium,
magnesium and iron (e.g. bicarbonates, sulfates, chlorides and nitrates).
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- hazardous waste
- Any waste material that is potentially dangerous, including but
not limited to material that is explosive, radioactive, ignitable,
corrosive, toxic, or reactive.
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- hazardous waste collection day
- a day when local officials collect household hazardous waste and
ensure safe management and disposal of the collected materials.
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- HDPE
- high density polyethylene - the plastic commonly used to make milk
and water jugs and two liter soda bottle bases.
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- heavy metals
- metallic elements like mercury, arsenic, and lead - generally toxic
in low concentrations to plants and animals.
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- high grade paper
- in general, office paper. Computer printouts (both white, and
green and white), tabulating cards, copy paper, white stationary, and
the cuttings from printing plants are all sources of high grade paper.
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- household batteries
- used to run clocks, radios, calculators, watches, toys and similar
small items.
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- household hazardous waste
- products containing hazardous substances that are used and disposed
of by individuals rather than industry. Examples include paints,
solvents, and pesticides.
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- humus
- decomposed plant and animal material that is part of the soil.
Humus is a product of composting.
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- ignitable
- poses a fire hazard through routine handling.
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- incandescent light bulbs
- light bulbs that emit light as a result of being heated.
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- incineration
- the process of burning trash at very high
temperatures, producing heat, electricity and toxic ash.
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- insecticide
- any chemical used to control undesirable insects.
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- integrated waste management
- the complementary use of a variety of practices to handle
municipal solid waste safely and effectively. Integrated waste
management techniques include source reduction, recycling,
composting, combustion, and landfilling.
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- landfilling
- the disposal of solid waste at engineered facilities in a series
of compacted layers on land and the frequent daily covering of the
waste with soil. Fill areas are carefully prepared to prevent
nuisances or public health hazards, and clay and/or synthetic liners
are used to prevent releases to ground water. If no hazardous
materials are placed into the landfill, it may
be possible to reclaim the site after the landfill is closed.
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- LDPE
- low density polyethylene. The plastic used in cellophane wrap,
diaper liners, and some squeeze bottles.
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- lead-acid batteries
- used to run cars and trucks.
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- leachate
- liquids that have percolated through a soil and that carry
substances in solution or suspension.
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- leaching
- the downward transport of dissolved or suspended minerals,
fertilizers and other substances by water passing through a soil or
other permeable material.
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- lethal dose (LD)
- the amount of a toxic substance required to cause death of an
organism under study in a given period of time.
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- linalool
- a poison derived from citrus peels which kills flea eggs.
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- maximum contaminant level (MCL)
- the maximum concentration of specific contaminants that is
allowed under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Generally expressed in terms of the maximum amount of contaminant allowed
in a given amount
of water using units of mg/l or ppm (parts per million).
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- microorganism (microbes)
- microscopic organism, such as fungi or bacteria, that breaks down the
organic waste in soil.
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- mulch
- any substance spread or allowed to remain on the soil surface
to conserve soil moisture and shield soil particles from the erosive
forces of raindrops and runoff.
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- multimaterial
- describes items that are composed of more than one material,
such as plastic lined cardboard milk containers. These products
cannot easily be recycled.
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- municipal solid waste (MSW)
- waste generated in households, commercial establishments,
institutions, and businesses. MSW includes used paper, discarded
cans and bottles, food scraps, yard trimmings, and other items.
Industrial process wastes, agricultural wastes, mining wastes,
and sewage sludge are not MSW.
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- natural resources
- resources that are obtained from the earth, such as petroleum,
coal, and water. Some natural resources, such as wood, can be
replaced while others, such as water and natural gas, are of limited
supply.
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- nonpoint source pollution
- pollution from numerous widespread
locations or sources that have no well-defined points of origin. May
originate from landuse activities and/or from the atmosphere. Examples
include leaching of excess fertilizer from fields and acid rain.
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- nutrients
- the materials that are necessary for growth and life, such as
water, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates.
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- organic material
- substances that contain carbon, as well as other chemical
elements. Plants are a primary form of organic material. Secondary
forms include human and animal excrement.
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- organic waste
- waste derived from animal and plant materials. Waste that contains
carbon compounds.
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- paradichlorobenzene (p-DCB)
- a chemical used to control moths, molds and mildew, and
also to deodorize restrooms and waste containers. At room temperature
it is a colorless solid with a strong, pungent odor, usually associated
with mothballs. Very high exposures can cause dizziness, headaches and liver problems. Exposure occurs via contaminated fish consumption, breathing air around mothballs or wherever p-DCB is used or manufactured. Infants can be exposed by drinking breast milk from mothers exposed to p-DCB.
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- parts-per-million (ppm)
- a common basis for reporting water analysis in
which proportions of substances with respect to one another are
reported. One ppm equals one unit of something per million units of
another substance. A concentration of 1 ppm aspirin to water is
approximated by dissolving one aspirin tablet in 100 gallons of water.
A concentration of 1 ppm equals one milligram/liter (mg/l).
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- pathogen
- a disease causing organism.
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- pathogenic
- capable of causing disease.
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- pesticide
- a chemical compound used to kill specific pests (plant or animal).
Insecticides control insects; herbicides control plants.
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- pH
- a measure to indicate an acid or alkaline condition; pH values can
range from zero (extremely acidic) to 14 (extremely basic or alkaline). pH
measurements are based on a log scale such that pH 6 is 10 times more
acidic than pH 7 (neutral) and pH 5 is 100 times more acidic than pH 7.
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- point source pollution
- pollution of ground or surface water supplies at well-defined
points or locations, typical of accidental chemical spills and waste
discharge outlets.
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- pollutant
- any substance of such character and in such quantities that upon
reaching the environment (soil, water or air), is degrading in effect so
as to impair the environment's usefulness or render it offensive.
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- polyethylene terephthalate. The plastic used in two liter soda
bottles. It is resistant to moisture and provides good insulation.
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- polypropylene (PP)
- a light, thermoplastic resin used in packaging,
coating, pipes, and tubes.
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- polystyrene (PS)
- commonly called styrofoam.
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- polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- a plastic used in flooring, records, vinyl
siding, shower curtains, and garden hoses.
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- post-consumer materials
- recovered materials from a consumer-orientated recycling
collection system or drop-off center.
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- potable water
- water that is fit to drink.
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- pre-consumer materials
- recovered materials ontained from manufacturers
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- pyrethin
- a relatively safe botanical poison derived from a species of
chrysanthemum, it breaks down quickly in the environment. It kills by
interfering with the pattern of insect nerve transmissions.
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- raw materials
- materials in their natural, unmanufactured state.
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- reactive
- tends to react spontaneously, to react vigorously with water or
air, to be unstable when exposed to shock or heat, to generate toxic
gases, or to explode during routine management.
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- rechargeable batteries
- batteries that can be electrically recharged at home. They can be
repeatedly recharged.
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- recyclables
- products or materials that can be collected, separated, and
processed to be used as raw materials (inputs) in the manufacture
of new products. Newspaper, cardboard, glass, steel, plastic, used oil,
and aluminum are common recyclables.
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- recycled content
- the portion of a product's or package's weight that is composed
of materials that have been recovered from waste; this may include
pre-consumer or post-consumer materials.
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- recycling
- separating, collecting, processing, marketing, and ultimately
using a material that would have been thrown away.
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- reuse
- the use of a product more than once in its same form, either for
the same purpose or a different purpose, such as reusing a soft-drink
bottle when it is returned to the bottling company for refilling, or
reusing a coffee can as a container for nuts and bolts.
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- silica aerogel
- a sorptive dust.
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- single use item
- an item that is used once, then thrown away. For example, a
facial tissue.
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- sodium hexametaphosphate
- a chemical added to water to increase the solubility of
certain ions and to deter the precipitation of certain chemicals.
For example, it is used to prevent calcium from precipitating out
of water and clogging pipes. Its thin, passivating film protects
metals from corrosion.
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- source reduction
- the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials to
reduce the amount or toxicity of waste. Because it is intended to
reduce pollution and conserve resources, source reduction should
not increase the net amount or toxicity of waste generated throughout
the life of the product. Source reduction techniques include reusing
items, minimizing the use of products that conatin hazardous compounds,
using only what is needed, extending the life of a product, and
reducing unneeded packaging.
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- source separation
- separating materials (such as paper, metal, and glass) by type
at the point of discard so that they can be recycled.
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- tansy
- an aromatic plant with button-like yellow flowers.
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- toxic
- ability (or property) of a substance to produce a harmful or
lethal effect on humans and/or the environment.
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- trisodium phosphate
- a chemical that is available in crystal form that acts as a
disinfectant when rehydrated in water.
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- turbidity
- a measure of water cloudiness. Cloudiness is caused by
suspended solids which scatter and absorb light rays.
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- urban runoff
- surface water runoff from urban areas such as lawns, streets,
parking lots and residential developments. Such runoff can pick up,
transport, and deposit a variety of pollutants including oil,
gasoline, pesticide and heavy metals.
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- virgin materials
- resources extracted from nature in their raw (unprocessed)
form, such as timber or metal ore.
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- volatization
- loss of a substance through evaporation or sublimation.
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- waste stream
- the waste output of any area.
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- wastewater
- Literally, water that has been used for some purpose and
discarded, or wasted; typically liquid discharged from domestic, business and industrial sources that contains a variety
of wastes (fecal matter, byproducts).
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- yard trimmings
- the component of solid waste composed of grass clippings,
leaves, twigs, branches, and garden refuse.
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