Glossary of Terms

The process describing the degradation of organic waste by microorganisms , or biological oxidation, without oxygen, which results in the release of methane. This process can occur naturally in anaerobic zones within environments such as wetlands and landfills. It can also occur within man-made anaerobic digesters.

The controlled, aerobic decomposition of organic waste.

A land site used for dumping solid waste material.

• Open Dumpsite: A land site used for solid waste disposal that is unmanaged, uncompacted, exposed to the surrounding ecosystem and has no monitoring or controls for methane emissions. Waste is not separated for diversion practices such as recycling or composting.
• Controlled Dump Site: Often described as a basic landfill, these land sites are used for solid waste disposal and employ minimal management techniques where waste is compacted and has daily covers, but there are no environmental control systems in place.

Operations that collect and direct landfill gas to be processed using vacuum pumps and wells.

A designated area for disposing of material waste.

• Sanitary Landfill: Regulated, managed landfill sites with environmental control systems that work to prevent groundwater contamination, odor, rodents and collect and control landfill gas.

A gaseous by-product of the decomposition of organic matter in landfills. For the most part, this gas is typically equally split between methane and carbon dioxide.

Abbreviation for million metric ton.

The release of methane (CH4) into the atmosphere through human activity, such as landfill systems, and by natural means.

The forming of the hydrocarbon CH4 (methane) during the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, mostly by methanogenic bacteria, or anaerobic archaea.

Solid waste from residential, commercial, industrial and other establishments that is non-hazardous. This type of waste is often referred to as trash or garbage.

Waste that is made up of plant or animal components and is naturally biodegradable into simple organic molecules. This type of waste is naturally compostable.

Products made of materials that can be treated to form feedstock for new products.

Pollutants that have shorter life cycles or have a strong impact in the short term. These types of pollutants include potent greenhouse gases like hydrofluorocarbons and methane.

The redirection of recoverable materials from disposal, such as for recycling.

The practice of incinerating solid waste and using the heat from combustion in other processes, such as electricity or steam. Incinerating solid waste reduces the volume of waste, however, can also release toxins that have health implications. This process also takes away methane generation and nutrient recovery potential from the organic matter present.