Introduction
In the Waste Glossary from FCC Environment CEE Group, you will find clear and concise explanations of different types of waste. This glossary helps you better understand what specific waste terms mean and how they relate to your everyday waste disposal needs.
How does it work?
Simply click on the first letter of the term you want to look up, and you will find its definition quickly and easily.
Please note: Some entries also include practical disposal recommendations. However, waste disposal regulations can vary between countries, so it’s important to verify the applicable rules in your location. For tailored advice, you can contact our experts in the respective countries via the provided contact options.
What are aluminium items?
Aluminium items come in many forms and uses, such as suitcases, ladders, and various everyday objects. Discarded aluminium items, also called scrap aluminium products, are ideal for recycling. After disposal, the recycled aluminium can be reused for the same or similar purposes as the original item. Aluminium items are disposed of together with general metal scrap.
What are aluminium parts?
Aluminium is a lightweight metal and the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen and silicon. As a result, aluminium is commonly found in various building components. Scrap aluminium generated from renovations or building demolitions should be disposed of together with other metal scrap and then prepared for recycling. This applies both to pure aluminium and aluminium parts alloyed with other metals.
What are asbestos boards?
Asbestos boards are still found on roofs or beneath electrical junction boxes and ballasts in many older buildings. Previously widely used in construction, it is now known that asbestos fibers are highly carcinogenic and can cause diseases such as asbestosis. Since 2005, the production and use of asbestos have been banned EU-wide. Therefore, asbestos boards must be disposed of separately as hazardous waste.
What is asbestos cement?
Asbestos cement is cement mixed with carcinogenic asbestos fibers. It can still be found as roofing and exterior wall cladding in many buildings, especially from the 1960s and 1970s. Unlike other asbestos materials, the asbestos in cement form is bound and therefore largely harmless to health. Asbestos cement can be safely disposed of together with other fiber cement sheets.
What are asbestos cement pipes?
Asbestos cement pipes are pipes made of cement that contain embedded asbestos fibers. Although no longer used in new constructions, asbestos cement pipes can still be found in many older water supply systems in Europe. While asbestos fibers are highly carcinogenic on their own, they are strongly bound within the cement, making them largely harmless to health. Therefore, asbestos cement pipes can be disposed of together with other fiber cement materials.
What is asbestos plaster?
Asbestos plaster is plaster that contains the mineral asbestos. Asbestos fibers are highly carcinogenic and can damage human lungs through regular inhalation, causing diseases such as asbestosis. Although asbestos has been banned as a building material across the EU since 2005, asbestos plaster can still be found in many older buildings in Europe. As a hazardous material, asbestos plaster must be disposed of separately and properly after removal.
What is asphalt demolition waste?
Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen (derived from petroleum) and aggregates. It is still mainly used in road construction today. During road excavation or demolition, the resulting asphalt demolition waste can be recycled and reused. For proper disposal, asphalt demolition waste can generally be disposed of together with other construction debris—provided the asphalt does not contain tar.
What is bronze?
Bronze is a collective term for all alloys consisting of at least 60% copper, where the second main alloying element is not zinc (which would classify it as brass). There are many types of bronze, each with different properties. Generally, all bronze alloys are valued for their hardness, high wear resistance, excellent corrosion resistance, and good sliding properties. Bronze products should be disposed of together with other scrap metals.
What is bulky waste?
Bulky waste refers to household waste items or large objects that cannot be disposed of in standard waste containers. Specifically, it includes movable, non-electronic furnishings and items not permanently attached to the interior of a home. Typical examples of bulky waste are furniture pieces, carpets, mattresses, blinds, or bicycles. Bulky waste must be disposed of separately, either via a dedicated bulky waste collection service or by using a specialised bulky waste container.
What Are Cable Scraps?
Cable scraps refer to old, broken pieces of cables. The inner conductor, called the core, is usually made of copper, and sometimes other metals. The outer insulating layer is always plastic. If the metal core is separated from the plastic insulation, it can be disposed of as scrap metal. Otherwise, cable scraps should be treated as construction waste to ensure proper separation of materials before recycling.
What Are Cables?
Cables are cord-like transmitters of energy or information, consisting of two main parts: the core (conductor) inside and the insulating material outside. The core is usually made of copper, but sometimes other metals are used. The insulation is always made of plastic. When disposing of old cables, they should be collected together with construction waste to enable proper separation and recycling of copper and plastic materials.
What are cement fiber boards?
Cement fiber boards are panels made from a composite of cement and fibers. Historically, asbestos fibers—known to be carcinogenic—were used in their production. Today, safer alternatives like glass, carbon, or other non-hazardous fibers are used instead. A common synonym for fiber cement is Eternit, a brand name derived from the Eternit GmbH company. Cement fiber boards must be disposed of together with other Eternit materials to ensure proper handling and recycling.
What is chain link fence wire waste?
Chain link fence wire consists of galvanized or plastic-coated mesh made from numerous individual wires. These wires are typically made from flexible metal, shaped to form a durable protective fence. Chain link fences are commonly used as security barriers around private properties or protected areas. Old or unusable chain link fence wire should be disposed of together with other scrap metal to ensure proper recycling.
What are cleaning agents?
Cleaning agents are substances used for cleaning various items and surfaces. They can be made from many different ingredients, often containing chemically aggressive and environmentally harmful components. Because of this, cleaning agents – including regular household cleaners – are classified as hazardous waste. Therefore, cleaning agents and their leftover containers must always be disposed of separately and never mixed with other types of waste to ensure safe and environmentally friendly processing.
What is concrete?
Concrete is an artificial stone widely used in modern construction. It is typically made by mixing cement with aggregates, usually gravel and sand. Due to the frequent use of concrete in buildings and structures, large amounts of waste concrete can accumulate on construction sites. This waste concrete can and should be disposed of together with other construction debris.
What is construction debris?
Construction debris, also known as rubble, is a collective term for all mineral-based construction waste. It is typically generated during renovations, new constructions, or building demolitions. Construction debris includes materials such as concrete, bricks, tiles, asphalt waste, sanitary ceramics, plaster, and more. All mineral types of construction debris can be disposed of together, but separately from other waste types. It is important to ensure that the debris does not contain hazardous substances (e.g., tar).
What is construction lumber waste?
Construction lumber refers to wood used as a structural material for reinforcing buildings and as a primary material in the production of various items. For proper disposal of old construction lumber, it is important to distinguish between treated and untreated wood. Untreated construction lumber—meaning wood that has not been coated, painted, stained, or impregnated with chemicals—can be disposed of together with other untreated wood waste. Treated construction lumber, however, should be handled as construction site waste to ensure appropriate recycling and disposal.
What is construction site waste?
Construction site waste refers to all waste generated on construction sites that is not necessarily mineral-based. This includes materials such as construction and structural wood, bulky waste, cable scraps, insulation boards, contaminated packaging, or roofing felt. Construction site waste must be separated from mineral construction debris because mineral materials can be recycled as secondary raw materials in various industries. Immediate separation of construction debris from other construction site waste simplifies and improves the recycling process.
What is construction wood?
Construction wood is wood used in the building of structures such as buildings or other constructions. During renovations or demolitions, construction waste wood can be generated. The proper disposal rules for construction wood follow the same guidelines as for all types of waste wood (see “Used wood”). There is a distinction between untreated, natural construction wood and treated construction wood, which includes wood coated with stains, paints, varnishes, or impregnations.
What is demolition wood?
Demolition wood refers to wood that has already been used for a specific purpose and is recovered from various wood-based materials. Typical examples include wooden parquet flooring, garden fences, and window frames. Demolition wood is mainly generated on construction sites, during renovations, refurbishments, or building demolitions. Because of its origin, it is also often called demolition timber.
What is drywall waste?
Drywall, also known as gypsum plasterboard, is widely used in construction for interior walls and ceilings. The term “Rigips” is often used synonymously in German-speaking countries, originating from the company that has produced these boards since 1948. Drywall panels consist of a gypsum core encased in paper and are versatile for creating partitions, linings, and ceilings. To ensure high-quality recycling and proper material recovery, drywall waste should always be collected and disposed of separately from other construction waste.
What is Eternit?
Eternit is a brand name for fiber cement, a building material still widely used in construction today. Originally, Eternit was made by combining cement with now-banned asbestos fibers (see Asbestos Cement). Modern Eternit replaces asbestos fibers with safer alternatives such as carbon or glass fibers. Eternit must always be disposed of separately to ensure safe handling and environmental protection.
What are Eternit sheets?
Eternit sheets are construction panels made from fiber cement (Eternit). They are primarily used in the building industry as roofing material and exterior wall cladding. Historically, Eternit sheets were produced by combining cement with carcinogenic asbestos fibers (see Asbestos Sheets). Today, safer fibers such as glass or carbon fibers are used instead. Eternit sheets must only be disposed of together with other Eternit materials to ensure proper and safe waste management.
What is excavated soil?
Excavated soil is generated during digging or earthworks, for example, during construction projects or when preparing foundations for new buildings. Large amounts of excavated soil also arise in civil engineering works. Excavated soil must not be disposed of together with other construction debris, construction site waste, or green waste. Instead, it requires separate disposal. Before disposal, it is essential to confirm that the excavated soil is uncontaminated.
What are fire protection boards?
Fire protection boards, also known as gypsum boards or drywall, play a crucial role in fire safety within the interior of buildings. During renovations or demolitions, fire protection boards become waste that must be collected separately from other construction site waste. This separation ensures they can be properly recycled and processed for high-quality reuse.
What are garden accessories?
Garden accessories include all products primarily designed for gardening and garden-related activities. These items can vary widely in function, size, and material, which means their proper disposal depends on these factors. For example, garden furniture made of metal or plastic should always be disposed of via bulky waste collection (bulky refuse).
What is garden waste?
Garden waste includes most natural waste materials generated in gardens and green spaces. This category covers tree trimmings, grass clippings, shrub cuttings, leaves, branches, and general green waste or garden debris. Garden waste can generally be disposed of together with other green waste. However, large branches (over 10 cm in diameter) or excessive amounts of grass should be disposed of separately to ensure proper handling and recycling.
What is grass clippings waste?
Grass clippings, also known as lawn mowing waste, result from regularly cutting grass for lawn maintenance. Finely cut grass clippings can be left on the lawn, where they quickly decompose and serve as a natural nutrient source for soil organisms. Larger amounts of grass clippings should be disposed of properly. Small quantities can be mixed with other green waste, while bigger volumes require separate collection and disposal to ensure environmentally friendly processing.
What are green and shrub cuttings?
Green and shrub cuttings refer to natural garden waste generated from maintenance pruning. Shrub cuttings specifically describe trimmed branches from bushes, while green cuttings include clippings from various plants such as trees, grass, or other vegetation. Most types of green and shrub cuttings can be disposed of together but must be separated from other waste categories to enable effective recycling and composting.
What are gypsum boards?
Gypsum boards, also known as drywall panels, are made from gypsum and widely used for various interior construction purposes. Their easy handling makes them ideal for creating non-load-bearing interior walls. Thanks to their beneficial material properties, gypsum boards are also used for fire protection, radiation shielding, and sound insulation. Proper disposal of old gypsum boards should always be done separately to ensure high-quality recycling and recovery.
What are hazardous materials?
Hazardous materials are wastes that, due to their toxic or harmful substances, must not be disposed of with regular household or commercial waste. Proper handling and separate disposal are essential to prevent environmental contamination and health risks.
What is Heraklith?
Heraklith boards are wood wool lightweight construction panels known for their excellent dimensional stability and high strength. They offer numerous benefits such as high heat storage capacity, sound insulation when plastered, and sound absorption when unplastered, as well as moisture regulation. Due to their composition, Heraklith panels should be disposed of in containers designated for construction debris (building rubble).
What are household appliances?
Household appliances include all typical devices found in private homes. When disposing of old or unusable household appliances (also called scrap appliances), it is important to distinguish between electrical and non-electrical devices. Non-electrical old appliances can be disposed of together with other metal scrap, while electrical appliances must be collected and disposed of separately to comply with environmental regulations and enable proper recycling.
What is iron?
Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust after oxygen, silicon, and aluminum, and remains the most widely used metal in global construction. Iron is the base metal for many alloys, such as steel and cast iron. Due to its widespread use, scrap iron is commonly found and should be disposed of together with other scrap metals to enable melting and recycling for reuse.
What does junk mean?
Junk generally refers to all old, unusable items. These objects can vary widely in function, material, and size. For sustainable waste disposal, each item must be sorted and separated according to specific waste regulations before it can be prepared for reuse or recycling. This sorting can happen either immediately during the clearing out process or later on.
What is leaf waste?
Leaves refer to the foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs. A unique characteristic of deciduous trees is their seasonal leaf fall, typically occurring during periods of low water availability—most commonly in autumn in Central Europe. Since deciduous trees cover around 40% of the total forest area in Central Europe, fallen leaves are commonly found in regions such as Austria. For proper disposal, leaves should ideally be collected and disposed of together with other green waste to ensure environmentally responsible processing.
What is masonry waste?
Masonry refers to a structure made by joining stones together, serving various construction purposes. The stones in masonry can be either natural (natural stones) or artificial. Artificial stones include materials such as clay bricks (ceramic) or concrete blocks. Regardless of the type, masonry waste should always be disposed of together with other construction debris to ensure proper recycling and environmental safety.
What is metal waste?
Metals are among the most common chemical elements on Earth, making up about 80% of all known elements. Due to their abundance and versatile properties, metals are widely used in construction and manufacturing. Metals can be classified by density into heavy and light metals, and by reactivity into precious and base metals. As long as they are neither radioactive nor toxic, metal waste can be collected and recycled together as scrap metal.
What are metal pipes waste?
Metal pipes are tubes made from various types of metal, with aluminum being one of the most commonly used materials. Due to their versatility, metal pipes serve many functions in construction and industry. Old and unusable metal pipes should be disposed of together with other scrap metal to ensure proper recycling and recovery.
What is mineral fiber waste?
Mineral fiber waste consists of residues made from mineral fiber materials, which are widely used—especially in the construction industry. Mineral fibers come in various forms and compositions. Depending on the type of mineral fiber, inhaling these fibers can be hazardous to human lungs and, in some cases, highly carcinogenic. Therefore, mineral fiber waste must always be handled with care and disposed of separately to ensure safety and proper environmental management.
What are mineral roof tiles?
Mineral roof tiles are roofing tiles made from natural clay minerals without artificial additives. They are commonly used on pitched roofs and help with roof drainage. Broken or unusable mineral roof tiles should be disposed of together with other construction debris to ensure proper recycling and waste management.
What is Tellwolle?
Tellwolle is a type of mineral wool made from artificially produced mineral fibers. It is primarily used in private households for thermal insulation and in industrial settings for soundproofing and fire protection of specialized equipment and installations. Despite its mineral fiber composition, Tellwolle is non-combustible and should be disposed of together with construction waste.
What are non-ferrous metals?
Non-ferrous metals are a collective term for all non-precious metals that do not contain iron. This group includes metals such as aluminum, lead, copper, nickel, tin, and zinc. Alloys like bronze and brass are also classified as non-ferrous metals. Recycling non-ferrous metals is especially important in Europe, as some of these metals are relatively rare on the continent. Non-ferrous metals can generally be disposed of together with other scrap metals.
What is non-hazardous waste?
Non-hazardous waste includes all types of waste that do not fall under hazardous or problematic waste categories. Problematic waste contains toxic, carcinogenic, or otherwise harmful substances that pose risks to human health and the environment and must therefore be disposed of separately. In contrast, non-hazardous waste is generally safe for both health and the environment. However, to ensure an efficient and sustainable recycling process, non-hazardous waste should also be carefully sorted before disposal.
What are pallets?
Pallets are flat wooden structures that play a crucial role in storage and transport logistics. They are used for packing, sorting, storing, and transporting various goods and products. Modern pallets are mostly reusable and designed for multiple uses. However, damaged or otherwise unusable pallets should be disposed of together with other waste wood to ensure proper recycling.
What is pipe waste?
Pipes are hollow, elongated structures used in various applications. In water and gas supply systems, they serve as transport channels, while in mechanical engineering they function as construction elements, and in the building industry they can act as structural components. Pipes can be made from metal (see metal pipes), glass, or plastic. Plastic pipes often contain a high proportion of PVC, making it important to dispose of them together with other construction waste containing PVC to ensure safe and environmentally compliant processing.
What are plant residues?
Plant residues are cut-off remains of plants. They can result from regular maintenance green cuttings or from severe weather events. These residues can come from virtually any type of plant. Many plant residues have the ability to regrow if replanted in the soil. When regrowth is not possible, plant residues can be disposed of together with other green and shrub cuttings to ensure proper waste management.
What is plaster?
Plaster is a coating used in construction for interior and exterior walls as well as ceilings. There are two main types of plaster: organic plaster, which primarily consists of synthetic resins, and mineral plaster, which is made from various mineral materials. Mineral plaster can be disposed of together with other construction rubble, while organic plaster requires separate disposal to ensure proper waste processing.
What is reinforcing steel?
Reinforcing steel, also known as rebar, is one of the two main components (alongside concrete) used in reinforced concrete construction. It strengthens the overall structure and is therefore found in every reinforced concrete building. Reinforcing steel is commonly found on construction sites, during building demolitions, or other works. Due to its high recycling value within the steel industry, reinforcing steel should be properly disposed of as steel scrap.
What is residual waste?
Residual waste is a general term for all types of waste that cannot be categorised into any specific waste type. This means residual waste includes items that do not belong to paper waste, waste wood, electronic waste, scrap metal, hazardous waste, or any other defined waste categories. Examples of residual waste include cigarettes, used baby nappies, dust, ash, and similar everyday waste. Residual waste must always be disposed of separately to ensure correct waste management and processing.
What is sand waste?
Sand is a natural sediment primarily composed of mineral grains. After air and water, sand is the most utilised resource on Earth. By far the most common type of sand is quartz sand, which continues to play a crucial role in the construction industry. For proper disposal, sand waste should be collected separately and disposed of together with earth or sand sludge to ensure environmentally compliant waste management and further processing.
What are shrub cuttings?
Shrub cuttings result from the regular pruning and maintenance of shrubs. This process involves removing old and/or diseased branches to promote healthy growth. Shrub cuttings can be disposed of together with other green waste but must always be kept separate from other types of waste to ensure proper processing.
What is sludge waste?
Sludge is a mixture of fine solid particles and liquid. Sludges are mostly formed through natural sedimentation processes but can also have other causes. Sludge often contains harmful microorganisms that require removal and proper treatment. For environmentally compliant disposal, sludge waste should always be collected separately and disposed of together with other sludge types to ensure safe and effective waste processing.
What is small furniture waste?
Small furniture refers to relatively compact furniture pieces, often composed of many small individual parts. These items can be made from a variety of materials. When small furniture becomes unusable, it is classified as bulky waste due to its size and composition. For proper disposal, small furniture should be handled through bulky waste collection services.
What is soil and earthworks waste?
Soil and earthworks waste includes all types of waste generated during the construction or excavation of foundations or substructures. This waste can consist of earth (see “Excavated soil”), gravel, clay, loam, and/or sand. For proper disposal, the composition of the soil waste does not matter. As long as the soil waste does not contain hazardous substances, it can generally be disposed of together with other mineral construction debris.
What is tar?
Tar is an organic mixture produced through the thermo-chemical decomposition of natural organic substances. It has various applications, such as in the extraction of aromatics, wood preservation, cigarette production, and historically in road construction. However, tar is environmentally harmful and can be hazardous to human health with prolonged exposure. Therefore, tar is classified as a hazardous material and must be disposed of separately following special regulations.
What are ceramic tiles?
Ceramic tiles are hard, dense plates mainly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and increasingly outdoors due to their smooth and hygienic surface. Their density and smoothness reduce dirt and germ buildup, improving hygiene inside homes. Old or broken ceramic tiles should be disposed of together with construction rubble (building debris) to enable proper recycling and waste processing.
What is tree pruning waste?
Tree pruning waste consists mainly of branches and twigs that are cut off during the maintenance of gardens or other green areas. This includes branches that grow in an unfavorable direction, inward, or are diseased. Pruning helps protect the tree in the long term and allows more sunlight to reach it during summer. The resulting tree pruning waste can be easily disposed of together with other green waste and later reused as compost.
What is turpentine?
Turpentine is a natural balsam secreted primarily by coniferous trees, especially pines. It consists of resin and essential oils. Turpentine is widely used as a solvent in both industrial and household applications, and it also has medical uses. Due to its harmful effects when inhaled and its potential risk to groundwater, turpentine is classified as a hazardous substance and must be disposed of separately.
What is Untreated Wood?
Untreated wood refers to natural wood that has not been coated, stained, painted, or impregnated with any foreign substances. Unlike treated wood, which requires specific disposal methods, all types of untreated reclaimed wood can generally be disposed of together, but separately from other waste types. Properly disposed untreated wood can be efficiently recycled either materially or energetically, making it a sustainable choice for waste management.
What is used oil?
Used oil refers to oil that is no longer suitable for lubrication or cooling purposes. There are two main types of used oil: - Used cooking oil, which is left over from food preparation and usually consists of vegetable oils. - Motor, lubricant, and mineral oils, which are mostly non-vegetable oils. These types of used oil can contain toxic substances and are therefore classified as hazardous waste that must be disposed of separately and safely.
What is waste wood?
Waste wood refers to wood that has already been used for a specific purpose or is reused as a secondary raw material. In Austria, waste wood is generally divided into two categories: untreated, natural waste wood, and treated waste wood. Treated waste wood includes all types of wood that have been glazed, varnished, painted, or impregnated and therefore require special disposal procedures.
What is Wood?
Wood is the fibrous tissue of the stems of trees and shrubs. It remains one of the most widely used natural materials worldwide, especially in construction. Wood serves various purposes: as building timber for erecting structures, as construction wood to reinforce buildings, and as a primary material in manufacturing numerous products. For sustainability and recycling, all types of reclaimed wood (old wood) should be disposed of separately based on their purity and treatment.
What Are Wooden Furniture?
Wooden furniture refers to pieces primarily made from wood. When disposing of old wooden furniture, the same rules apply as for other types of reclaimed wood (see reclaimed wood disposal). It is crucial to distinguish between untreated and treated wooden furniture. Untreated wooden furniture—meaning those not coated, stained, painted, or impregnated with foreign substances—can be disposed of together with other untreated reclaimed wood. Treated wooden furniture, however, must be handled according to specific disposal regulations to ensure environmental safety.
