Organic and Inorganic Recycling
Lynn Marmitt
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Give FeedbackGlossary
Biodegradable The property of a substance that permits it to be broken down by microorganisms into simple compounds
Composting Mixing food scraps, grass clippings and leaves in an optimal environment for decomposition to form a rich soil condition
Consumer
An organism that feeds on other plants or animals
Decompose
To break down into basic elements; to rot
Garbage
Spoiled or waste food that’s been thrown away; any material considered worthless
Humus
Complex, highly stable material formed during breakdown of organic matter
Incinerator
A thermal device in which solid waste is burned for the purpose of volume reduction
Landfill
A site for burial and disposal of solid wastes
Leachate
Liquid that has percolated through solid waste and/or been generated by solid waste decomposition
Resource
Valuable, naturally occuring materials such as wood, minerals, soil and air
Non-recyclable
Items which are made of materials that cannot be recycled
Nonrenewable Resource
A natural resource that is considered finite in amount because of its scarcity or rapid depletion
Organic
Pertaining to or derived from living organisms
Recycle
Any method of reprocessing and reusing products
Renewable Resource
A natural resource derived from an endless source
Vermicomposting
Mixture of partially decomposed organic waste, bedding, worm castings, cocoons, worms, and associated organisms, or, to carry out composting with worms