Because of the heterogeneous nature of solid waste, no single method of classification is entirely satisfactory. In some cases it is important for the solid waste specialist to know the source of waste, so that the classification as domestic, institutional, commercial, street waste, industrial waste, construction and demolition waste etc. is useful.

For other situations, the type of waste- garbage, rubbish, ash, hazardous waste, etc. which gives a better indication of its physical and chemical characteristics is more useful.

The three types- garbage, rubbish, and ashes, form the bulk of municipal waste and originate from households, institutions and commercial areas.

The classification of waste is as follows:

1. Domestic/Residential Waste: This category of waste comprises the solid wastes that originate from households. These wastes are generated as a consequence of household activities such as cooking, cleaning, repairs, hobbies, and redecoration and contain empty containers packaging, clothing, book, writing paper, and furnishings.
2. Commercial waste: Included in this category are solid wastes that originate from offices, wholesale and retail stores, restaurants, hotels, markets, warehouses, and other commercial establishments.
3. Institutional waste: Institutional wastes are those arising from institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, and research institutes.
4. Municipal waste: Municipal wastes include wastes resulting from municipal activities and services such as street waste, commercial waste, and market waste. However, the term is commonly applied in a wider sense to incorporate domestic, institutional and commercial wastes as well.
5. Street waste: The term applies to the waste that is collected from streets, walkways, alleys, and vacant areas. Street waste includes paper, cardboard, plastic, dirt leaves and other vegetable matter discarded by the road users.
6. Industrial waste: Included in this category is the discarded solid material of manufacturing processes and industrial operations. However, solid wastes from small industrial units and ash from power plants are frequently disposed of at municipal landfill sites.
7. Sewage waste: The solid by products of sewage treatment are classified as sewage waste. They are mostly organic and derive from the treatment of organic sludge’s from both the raw and treated sewage.
8. Hazardous wastes: Hazardous waste may be defined as a waste of industrial, institutional or consumer origin which, because of its physical-chemical or biological characteristics is potentially dangerous to humans and the environment.