Residential

Backyard Burning
Backyard burning refers to the burning of household trash by residents on their own property. Air emissions from backyard burning are released directly to the atmosphere and are considered harmful to human health. These Web pages provide information about the health hazards and environmental effects associated with backyard burning and discuss state, local, and tribal standards; regulations; and programs concerning this activity. In addition, this Web resource explains alternatives to backyard burning for communities and individuals and suggests publications for further reading.

Batteries
Batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can contaminate the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of. This Web area focuses on reducing the municipal waste and environmental contamination associated with the use and disposal of batteries, provides information about battery reuse and recycling, and links to related EPA publications.

Composting
This Web area focuses on composting of yard trimmings and food scraps to prevent landfilling of this type of waste. The pages stress various benefits of composting, provide a comprehensive, searchable, and link to information about federal regulations of composting facilities and regional and state composting programs.

Consumer Tips
This Web area contains seasonal and holiday tips for waste prevention, reuse, and recycling.

Household Hazardous Waste
Leftover, or unused household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered "household hazardous waste" (HHW). These Web pages describe HHW reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal options; offer related resources (such as a list of common household products with potentially hazardous ingredients and a list of suggested alternatives to common hazardous household items); and point to HHW-associated programs, publications, and topics.

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Medical Waste
Medical waste is generally defined as any solid waste generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals. This Web resource lists all types of medical waste; points to relevant federal and state regulations; and links to federal agencies that regulate different aspects of medical waste management as well as other companies of interest in this field.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (i.e., trash or garbage)
This Web area includes an overview of MSW management, key facts about the MSW stream in the United States and recycling activities associated with a variety of materials recovered for recycling. It discusses MSW source reduction, combustion, and landfilling; and links to state, tribal, and community-based information supplied by those sources and by EPA programs. The Web area points to more than 40 subjects related to MSW management, such as buying recycled materials, lifecycle analysis, pollution prevention, and used oil. The backyard burning, batteries, composting, household hazardous waste, medical waste, and scrap tires Web pages are located under the umbrella of the MSW Web area. In addition, the MSW area hosts information about major EPA MSW programs including Jobs Through Recycling, WasteWise, and Pay-As-You-Throw.

Organic Materials
This Web area provides information about organic materials, which are the largest components of our trash, and include yard trimmings, food scraps, wood waste, and paper and paperboard products

Scrap Tires
This Web area offers an overview and statistics on scrap tire management as well as laws/statutes—particularly state scrap tire legislation and programs. It also describes innovative uses of scrap tires. Three large scrap tire markets are described in detail: tire-derived fuel, civil engineering, and ground rubber used in highways and other applications. In addition, this Web resource lists relevant EPA, state, and independent research publications and links.

Used Oil
Oil keeps our cars, lawnmowers, and many other machines running smoothly. But, once oil is used, it must be discarded properly, to keep it from contaminating the environment. This Web area describes ways for recycling used oil.

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