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H
Hazardous waste
Substances that can significantly harm the health of humans or the environment if they are not handled and disposed of correctly. Household hazardous waste consists of hazardous products used and disposed of by residential consumers, rather than industry.
HDPE
A type of plastic - high density polyethylene - used for make containers like milk and detergent bottles.
Heavy metals
Metals which tend to accumulate in the food chain and can harm living things at very low concentrations - eg chromium, cadmium, mercury and lead.
I
Insecticide
A substance used to kill or stop the growth of insects.
L
Landfill / Landfill Site
Disposal site for solid waste, where waste is buried and covered over
with soil.
LDPE
A type of plastic - low density polyethylene - used to make products
like grocery bags and trash can liners.
Leachate
Liquid containing contaminants from a landfill site.
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M
Mercury
A heavy metal that can build up in the environment and is very harmful if breathed or swallowed.
Methane
A natural gas produced when plant or animal matter breaks down. It is one of the major greenhouse gases and can be collected to produce biomass energy.
Microbiological
Any process that involves micro-organisms.
Micro-organisms
A microscopic organism, such as a bacteria, virus or fungus.
Material Recycling Facility
A facility where solid waste is sorted out for recycling or disposal in landfill.
Mulching
Putting a layer of plant material (like straw, dead leaves or woodchips) around plants to hold moisture, stop weeds going and add nutrients to the soil.
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