Wastes are classified into following categories:

1.      Biodegradable wastes:

The waste materials that can be degraded by micro-organisms are called biodegradable wastes. They include vegetable peelings, discarded food, tea leaves, egg shells, crop and farm residue etc.

2.      Non-biodegradable waste:

The wastes that cannot be degraded by micro-organisms are called non-biodegradable wastes. These wastes include polythene bags, glass bottles, ceramics, asbestos etc.

3.      Toxic wastes:

The poisonous wastes are called toxic wastes. Such wastes include pesticides, acids, alkalies, radioactive substances etc.

4.      Non-toxic wastes:

The non-poisonous wastes are called non-toxic wastes for eg Glass, ceramics, paper, wood crap, leather, rubber etc.

5.      Biomedical wastes:

These wastes are released by the hospitals and clinics and include cotton, syringe, glass and plastic bottles, anatomical and pathological wastes.