Glossary

These are defined in the Renewables Obligation Order 2002 as meaning gasification, pyrolysis or anaerobic digestion, or any combination thereof.

This is the biological decomposition of organics where oxygen is present.

Aerosol cans are made either from steel or aluminium and can often be recycled with food and drinks cans. Please remove plastic lids.

Granular material used in construction. Aggregates may be natural, artificial or have recycled content.

Once an effective kerbside recycling scheme has been put in place it may only be necessary for a Local Authority to collect residual waste on a fortnightly basis, which is alternated with the fortnightly collection of recycling.

Aluminium forms 8% of earths crust and is extracted from bauxite. Aluminium is really valuable and can be recycled and used time and time again. 95% less energy is used every time an aluminium can is recycled into a new can, compared to producing a brand new one. This means that twenty recycled aluminium cans can be made with the power it takes to manufacture one brand new one.

Ongoing unwanted sound in the environment such as from transport and industry, as distinct from individual events, such as a noisy all-night party. Unless stated otherwise, noise includes vibration.

This is the biological degradation of organics in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas (typical composition of 65 per cent methane and 35 per cent CO2) and residue (digestate) suitable for use as a soil improver.

Autoclaving is a Mechanical Heat Treatment process. Waste is sealed in a drum, known as an autoclave, and treated with steam. It can then be mechanically separated into different fraction. The technique has typically been used for the treatment of medical waste and is a relatively new technology in treatment of municipal waste.