(N/A) Solid waste includes everything that goes out in trash. Municipal solid waste consists of wastes from homes,offices,stores,schools,hospitals,etc.,that are collected and disposed of by the municipality. It generally comprises paper,food wastes,plastics,glass,metals,rubber,leather,cloth,etc. Burning reduces the volume of the wastes,but it is not usually burnt to completion and open dumps often serve as the breeding ground for rats and flies.
Sanitary landfills were adopted as a substitute for open-burning dumps. In these landfills,wastes are dumped in a depression or trench after compaction and covered with dirt every day.
However,in cities,the amount of municipal waste generated is so high that this method is failing. Also,there is a danger of seepage of chemicals,etc.,from these landfills polluting the underground water resources.