Waste strategy: glossary of terms

Anaerobic digestion

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which organic matter such as animal or food waste is broken down to produce biogas which can be used to create electricity and biofertilizer that can be used on farmland. This process happens in the absence of oxygen in a sealed, oxygen-free tank called an anaerobic digester.

Alternate week collection

Alternate week collections are when households receive a collection every week, but the material collected alternates between general waste one week and recyclable materials the next.

Bring site

Specific sites across the district where bins are provided for residents to bring their pre-sorted recyclable materials. Bulky waste Large items of household waste such as furniture or fridges, DIY waste or garden waste.

Business waste

Waste from premises used for the purposes of a trade or business or for the purpose of sport, recreation, education or entertainment. Does not include household, agricultural, or industrial waste.

Caddy (food waste)

A food waste caddy is a container for storing and presenting your weekly food waste. Typically, councils issue 2 caddies to each household an internal smaller caddy (7 litre) and a larger outdoor collection caddy (23 litre) for transferring food waste into and setting out at the kerbside.

Climate change

The term climate change is commonly used to mean global warming, but also includes natural changes in the earth's climate. Climate change refers to the build-up of greenhouse gases (produced by human activities) in the atmosphere that trap the sun's heat, causing changes in weather patterns on a global scale. Effects include changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, potential droughts and habitat loss.

Composting waste

An aerobic (in presence of air), biological process in which organic wastes such as garden and kitchen waste breaks down to form compost.

Contamination

When materials which can't be recycled or composted are mixed in with recyclable or compostable waste. Contamination can result in recyclable or compostable waste ending up being rejected, and recyclable materials going to waste.

Deposit return scheme

A recycling system in which consumers pay a small deposit for plastic and glass bottles, which can be refunded upon return to a collection point.

Energy Recovery Facility (ERF)

An ERF is a waste treatment facility that uses non hazardous residual waste as fuel to generate energy.

Equality impact assessment

An Equality Impact Assessment is a tool that which enables us to consider the likely impact of our actions and service changes on different groups of people. Completion of equality impact assessments is a legal requirement under race, disability and gender equality legislation.

Extended producer responsibility

Extended producer responsibility is a government backed responsibility scheme which passes the cost responsibility of dealing with packaging waste back to packaging manufacturers and retailers. It encourages them to reduce the amount of packaging they put on the market and to make packaging recyclable.

Food waste

Food waste is food intended for consumption that is discarded along the food supply chain and can no longer be consumed.

General waste

Waste left after all the materials that can be recycled and composted have been removed.

Greenhouse gases

Gases in the atmosphere that affect the temperature of the earth. Includes carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and water vapour.

Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for a wide range of services across the whole county. Specifically, HCC is the waste disposal authority for the district, managing disposal contracts, infrastructure, and the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Household Waste Recycling Centres

The Household Waste Recycling Centres are managed by Hampshire County Council and are available to all residents. They provide facilities for the disposal of a range of recyclable materials and waste.

JMWMS

Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy

Landfill

A waste disposal site where waste is deposited onto or into the ground.

Material Recovery Facility

A Material Recovery Facility is a specialised plant that receives, separates, and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers.

Project Integra

Project Integra has 15 partner organisations that collect, manage, and dispose of Hampshire's waste.

Recycling

The reprocessing of wastes, either into the same product or a different one.

Recycling rate

The recycling rate is calculated as the proportional value (%) of waste recycled from the total waste generated.

Resident engagement

Activities undertaken with the intention of gathering feedback and insight from residents on our current services and proposed actions.

Reuse

Using materials or products again, for the same or a different purpose, without reprocessing the materials.

Twin-stream recycling

A twin-stream recycling system in where residents source separate recyclable materials into 2 different containers.

Unitary authority

A type of local authority responsible for all local government duties in an area including waste collection and disposal.

Waste Collection Authority

A local authority responsible for collecting household and some other wastes in the area covered by that authority.

Waste composition analysis

A waste composition analysis is a study that provides information on the weight of materials in a given waste stream. This involves obtaining samples of these waste streams and sorting them into predefined categories which are then weighed.

Waste Disposal Authority

A local authority responsible for managing the waste collected by WCAs and for providing HWRCs.

Waste hierarchy

Sets out the order in which options for waste management should be considered based on environmental impact. Prioritising prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and composting, other recovery and disposing only as a last resort. It is a framework that has become a cornerstone of sustainable waste management.

Waste prevention

Actions or choices that prevent the generation of waste and include measures taken before a material or product becomes waste. Waste prevention reduces the amount of waste produced and the associated impacts on the environment.

WRAP

Waste and Resources Action Programme is a charity, working with governments, businesses, and citizens around the globe. They aim to generate evidence-based solutions to protect the environment, build stronger economies and support more sustainable societies. WRAP work closely with local authorities, providing free to-use resources and support, to help improve waste and recycling services.