Solid domestic waste (SDW) is the diverse mixture of solid materials discarded by households. It typically contains organic food and garden waste, paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, metals, textiles, sanitary waste and smaller quantities of electronic or hazardous materials.
This is SL and HL content from IB ESS subtopic 7.3 Solid waste, particularly understandings 7.3.2 and 7.3.3. SDW does not have a fixed composition: its volume and contents vary between societies and change over time.
| Component | Typical examples and significance |
|---|---|
| Organic waste | Food scraps and garden waste; biodegradable but may release methane under anaerobic conditions in landfill. |
| Paper and cardboard | Packaging, newspapers and cartons; often reusable, recyclable or biodegradable. |
| Plastics | Packaging, bottles and bags; generally persistent and may fragment into microplastics. |
| Glass and metals | Bottles, cans and aluminium; often recyclable, conserving natural resources and energy. |
| Textiles and other materials | Clothing, wood, rubber and composite products; reuse or specialized recycling may be possible. |
| Hazardous or electronic waste | Batteries, cleaning chemicals, medicines and small electronic devices; may release toxic substances if improperly managed. |
Waste composition is affected by socio-economic, political, environmental and technological factors. Higher-income societies often generate more packaging, plastics and electronic waste, while food and other organic materials may form a larger proportion of waste where consumption patterns and waste-management infrastructure differ.
Management must therefore be adapted to local conditions. For example, South Korea uses separate food-waste collection and charging systems, helping divert organic material from landfill. However, access to collection and recycling services may be unequal, creating an environmental justice issue when disposal sites disproportionately affect lower-income communities.