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What Happens to Rubbish After It Is Collected?
When a garbage truck rolls through a neighbourhood, the journey of the waste hardly ends at the curb. First, the load is taken to a material‑recovery facility, where it is sorted by machines and workers. Recyclable items such as paper, glass, metal and certain plastics are separated and sent to specialised plants for processing into new products. The remainder—often called residual waste—continues on to an incineration plant or a landfill. In modern incinerators, the heat generated can be turned into electricity, helping to offset energy demand. Landfills, on the other hand, are designed with layers of compacted earth and protective liners to prevent contamination of soil and water. Over time, the organic fraction of the waste decomposes, producing biogas that can be captured and used as a fuel. Throughout the whole chain, strict regulations aim to minimise environmental impact and maximise resource recovery, turning what was once considered useless into a source of energy or raw material.