Trash (Municipal Solid Waste)

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is commonly used to describe the “trash” or “garbage” destined for disposal at a landfill or incinerator. It is a catch-all term for a variety of solid wastes generated by households, businesses and institutions. MSW consists of everyday items that are discarded as part of routine consumer activities, including paper, containers and product packaging, clothing, furniture, appliances, food scraps, and many other items. 

MSW does not include construction and demolition debris, automobile scrap, infectious waste, asbestos waste, contaminated soil, ash (other than ash from household stoves), or other specialized wastes (such as waste from industrial processes).

Much of our trash can be separated for more preferable forms of management such as recycling or composting. Reducing MSW saves disposal capacity, reduces emissions and conserves resources. 

"Pay-as-you-throw" (PAYT) is a strategy that municipalities can adopt to encourage recycling and minimize MSW disposal. PAYT is a system where individuals pay a fee based on how much waste they dispose of. These fees are commonly paid by volume (i.e., by the bag) but can also be paid based on weight. PAYT can help municipalities not only reduce overall disposal costs, but also reduce use of local taxes to fund waste disposal. This saves taxpayers money!

• Northeast Resource Recovery Association PAYT Resources and New Hampshire Programs 
• RCAP Solutions Solid Waste, Recycling and PAYT Information

Questions? 

Please contact the Solid Waste General Helpline via email at solidwasteinfo@des.nh.gov or by phone at (603) 271-2925.

Visit our Managing My Waste page to learn about other types of household waste.