Final answer:
Municipal solid waste refers to everyday discarded items but does not include hazardous wastes such as toxic chemicals, which are regulated to ensure they do not pose a health or environmental hazard. Waste-to-energy processes convert MSW into electricity while requiring strict pollution controls.
Step-by-step explanation:
Municipal Solid Waste and Hazardous Materials
Municipal solid waste (MSW), commonly referred to as garbage or trash, consists of everyday items discarded by the public. It does not include industrial, agricultural, medical, radioactive waste or sewage sludge. A typical MSW stream contains a mix of biodegradable wastes, recyclable materials, inert waste, and composite wastes. Specific types can vary by municipality and over time.
Hazardous and toxic waste include items like paints, chemicals, batteries, and electronics. These do not fall under MSW, but they are classified under different categories, such as listed wastes, characteristic wastes, and mixed wastes. The proper disposal and treatment of these wastes are regulated by laws like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Atomic Energy Act, primarily to protect human health and the environment from the potential dangers they pose.
Waste-to-energy processes turn MSW into electricity, mitigating waste disposal issues and generating energy. However, these processes require strict regulation and pollution controls, akin to that necessary for coal plants, due to potential air pollution and the generation of potentially toxic ash.