The Environment in the City 123
is generally of low priority in environmental policies, and the outcomes of
relevant programmes are often inadequate.
6.6 Pollution FroM urban Solid waStE
Urban solid waste (USW) or refuse (commonly known as rubbish) is produced by dwellings and various services such as offices, shops and the other
non-industrial activities of cities. Unlike natural ecosystems, where there
are no unusable materials because everything is recycled by decomposers,
humans produce large quantities of waste. Prior to the dawn of the industrial age, human societies used most waste products as fertilizers. Waste
pollution is intrinsically connected to industrial production, and USW in
particular is an important by-product of the activities of a city and often
creates serious environmental degradation. Lack of appropriate USW
management leads to significant soil, water, air and aesthetic pollution,
associated human health problems, as well as an increase in greenhouse gas
emissions. Its sustainable management, a challenge that present-day urban
societies are called on to meet, should:
• Create no hazards to human health
• Conserve natural resources
• Keep environmental quality high
• Be economically acceptable
Changes in consuming and eating habits, the rapid increase in the quantity of packaging materials that are discarded, and the increase in the
population living in urban centres are the main factors contributing to the
huge increase in refuse.
In the case of urban wastewater or liquid wastes, mature processing
able require no social participation apart from citizens’ financial contributions towards meeting the operating costs of the installations. Urban solid
waste management technologies have not yet reached maturity. The lack
of adequate mature technologies has created a need not only for financial
input but also for the active participation of generators of USW, i.e. all
citizens, in the process of managing it. This necessary social participation
consists of an attempt by USW generators to separate waste into different
types. This makes their subsequent effective management possible, using
technologies capable of valorizing the various products of the sorting at
source (Chapter 10) without creating serious environmental problems.
Management of USW includes actions for waste collection, transport,
treatment and ultimate disposal. The widely varying chemical composition
of USW, the many stages of management, and the urgent need for social
is generally of low priority in environmental policies, and the outcomes of
relevant programmes are often inadequate.
6.6 Pollution FroM urban Solid waStE
Urban solid waste (USW) or refuse (commonly known as rubbish) is produced by dwellings and various services such as offices, shops and the other
non-industrial activities of cities. Unlike natural ecosystems, where there
are no unusable materials because everything is recycled by decomposers,
humans produce large quantities of waste. Prior to the dawn of the industrial age, human societies used most waste products as fertilizers. Waste
pollution is intrinsically connected to industrial production, and USW in
particular is an important by-product of the activities of a city and often
creates serious environmental degradation. Lack of appropriate USW
management leads to significant soil, water, air and aesthetic pollution,
associated human health problems, as well as an increase in greenhouse gas
emissions. Its sustainable management, a challenge that present-day urban
societies are called on to meet, should:
• Create no hazards to human health
• Conserve natural resources
• Keep environmental quality high
• Be economically acceptable
Changes in consuming and eating habits, the rapid increase in the quantity of packaging materials that are discarded, and the increase in the
population living in urban centres are the main factors contributing to the
huge increase in refuse.
In the case of urban wastewater or liquid wastes, mature processing
able require no social participation apart from citizens’ financial contributions towards meeting the operating costs of the installations. Urban solid
waste management technologies have not yet reached maturity. The lack
of adequate mature technologies has created a need not only for financial
input but also for the active participation of generators of USW, i.e. all
citizens, in the process of managing it. This necessary social participation
consists of an attempt by USW generators to separate waste into different
types. This makes their subsequent effective management possible, using
technologies capable of valorizing the various products of the sorting at
source (Chapter 10) without creating serious environmental problems.
Management of USW includes actions for waste collection, transport,
treatment and ultimate disposal. The widely varying chemical composition
of USW, the many stages of management, and the urgent need for social