Waste is any unwanted or useless material. These are the material that has been thrown away since they are unused. Waste can be in any form either liquid or solid or gases. On the basis of origin waste can be classified as mining waste eg. waste rock, mining water, chemical etc. Agriculture forestry waste eg. pesticides and fertilizers, slaughter waste, plastic and containers, manure, etc. Industrial waste eg. Plastics, chemicals, ash, etc. Household and Commercial waste eg. Municipal Solid Waste, electronics, etc. Construction waste eg. Concrete, Plastic, Wood, metal, etc.

Improper waste disposal leads to pollution of the environment. Some of the impacts of waste on the environment are described below.

Land Pollution

When we throw the waste on soil or another land instead of disposal the contents break down by rotting and seep into the area around it. After absorbing the harmful contents the land is harmful to people, and animals.

Water pollution

When waste is thrown into the water for disposal it contaminates the water. The disposal of waste into water bodies increases the toxicity of water making freshwater unsafe for human beings and animals.

Air pollution

Air pollution is the major issue due to improper waste disposal. Due to improper waste disposal many harmful gases are entering into the air.  The breakdown of the waste releases gases like methane, which is a major factor in global climate change

Climate change

The improper disposal of waste contributes to worsening the weather, melting of snow, raising the sea level, and adversely affecting the natural habitat of many animals and human beings. Thus, improper disposal of waste also affects the global climate.