Which of the following is not an example of municipal solid waste (MSW)?

Which of the following is not an example of municipal solid waste (MSW)?

• A. Durable goods (appliances, tires, batteries)
• B. Nondurable goods (newspapers, magazines, books)
• C. Food waste and yard trimmings
• D. Sludges from wastewater treatment plants

Answer: (D)

Municipal solid waste consists of everyday waste collected from households and small businesses, including items we typically discard: durable goods such as appliances, tires, and batteries; nondurable goods like newspapers, magazines, and books; and organic waste such as food scraps and yard trimmings. Sludges from wastewater treatment plants, on the other hand, are a byproduct of treating municipal wastewater and are classified as biosolids. They come from the wastewater stream rather than consumer refuse and require a different handling and regulatory approach, so they are not considered municipal solid waste.

Municipal solid waste consists of everyday waste collected from households and small businesses, including items we typically discard: durable goods such as appliances, tires, and batteries; nondurable goods like newspapers, magazines, and books; and organic waste such as food scraps and yard trimmings. Sludges from wastewater treatment plants, on the other hand, are a byproduct of treating municipal wastewater and are classified as biosolids. They come from the wastewater stream rather than consumer refuse and require a different handling and regulatory approach, so they are not considered municipal solid waste.