What is the difference between putrescible waste and non-putrescible waste?

Putrescible waste is waste containing organic matter that degrades and putrefies. Examples are general household waste containing food that is collected by local councils.

Construction and demolition waste is non-putrescible because it does not decay like general household waste.

What is non-putrescible waste?

Non-putrescible waste consists of items including glass, plastic, rubber, ceramics, bricks, cement or metal materials, soils, timber, garden trimmings, agricultural, forestry and crop materials, as well as natural fibrous organic and vegetative materials.

General solid waste may only be classified as non-putrescible if:

• It does not readily decay under standard conditions.
• Does not emit offensive odours.
• Does not attract vermin or other vectors (such as flies, birds and rodents).

Typically, construction and demolition waste materials are tested for a range of pollutants prior to disposal, in order to confirm their acceptability for delivery at a reprocessing facility.

Why is this C&D waste different from normal household waste?

Normal household waste contains organic matter such as food (meat, fish, vegetables and other food leftovers) and liquids. These are called putrescible materials, this waste will eventually and in certain weather conditions rapidly, decay, attract bacteria, rot and slowly liquefy. This is why garbage sometimes smells bad.