Glossary B

A	B	C	D	E
F	G	H	I	J
K	L	M	N	O
P	Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X	Y
Z

BA

Brass.

BACK-END SYSTEM

Any of several processes for recovering resources from the organic portion of the waste stream (Ex.: Fluid bed incineration; Pyrolysis; Composting; Combustion; Fiber reclamation).

BALE

A compacted and bound cube of recycled material.

BALER

Equipment that compacts and binds recyclable materials to reduce volume and transportation costs. (BALING).

BENEFICATION

The mechanical processing of waste glass to decontaminate it and crush it to a more uniform size.

BIAS PLY CONSTRUCTION

A tire building method consisting of a casing built using multiple layers of textile laid diagonally across the run of the tire.

BIMETAL CAN (BI-METAL)

A food or beverage can with a steel body and an aluminum lid: it is 100% recyclable by the steel industry.

BIODEGRADABLE

Able to break down or decompose rapidly under natural conditions and processes.

BIOLOGICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)

The amount of oxygen needed for aerobic microorganisms to function in organic-rich water such as sewage.

BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT

Technology that uses bacteria to consume waste/ organic materials.

BIOMASS

The total mass of living matter within a given unit of environmental area. Biomass is plant matter such as trees, grasses, agricultural crops or other biological material. It can be used as a solid fuel, or converted into liquid or gaseous forms, for the production of electric power, heat, chemicals, or fuels. By integrating a variety of biomass conversion processes, all of these products can be made in one facility, called a bio-refinery.

BLEACHING

Method used in the paper-making process to produce a bright white paper sheet. It produces dioxins.

BO

Bronze.

BOD

See: Biological oxygen demand.

BOTTLE BANK

Containers meant to receive beverage bottles which people drop off to be recycled.

BOTTLE BILL

A law requiring deposits on beverage containers.

BOXBOARD

Paperboard used for fabricating boxes. Different boxboard grades are classified as to the composition of the top liner, filler (middle layer), and back liner. It includes folding b-- (cereal boxes), setup b-- (shoe boxes), and foodboard (milk cartons).

BRGL

Brown glass.

BRK

Bricks.

BROKE

Paper that has been discarded anywhere in the process of manufacture in the paper mill.

BROWN GOODS

Obsolete electronic products, such as radios and televisions.

BT

Automotive batteries.

BUY-BACK CENTER

A recycling facility that purchases small amounts of secondary materials from the public.