Solid Wastes include – 

• Garbage (food wastes)
• Rubbish ( paper, plastics, wood, metal, throw away containers, glass).
•  Demolition products (bricks, masonry, pipes).
•  Sewage treatment residue (sludge and solids from the coarse screening of domestic sewage).
•  Dead animals, manure, other discarded materials.

Strictly speaking Solid Wastes should not contain night soil.

The per capita daily solid waste produced ranges between 0.25 to 2.5 kg in different countries.

Solid waste if accumulated anywhere is a health hazard because :

•  It decomposes and favours fly breeding.
•  It attracts rodents and vermin.
•  Possibility of water and soil pollution.
•  Unsightly appearance and bad odours.
• Solid waste accumulation increases chances of vector borne diseases.

Sources of solid wastes :

•  Street refuse : collected by street cleaning service or scavenging

           e.g. : leaves, straw, paper, animal droppings.

•  Market refuge: contains putrid vegetables and animal matter.
•  Stable and cowshed refuse.
•  Industrial refuse: contains wastes ranging from completely inert  materials to highly toxic and explosive compounds.
• Domestic refuse: contains ash, rubbish and garbage.

Garbage is waste matter arising from the preparation, cooking and consumption of food. It consists of waste food, vegetable peelings and other organic matter.