waste (worthless or unwanted materials, substances, etc.): They recycle household waste. You should avoid radioactive waste.
garbage US English (waste food and other wet materials that people throw away): Please take out the garbage. They simply dump their garbage in the river.
rubbish UK English (useless materials that people throw away): The dustmen collect the rubbish on Tuesdays.
trash (used paper, cardboard, and other dry materials that people throw away): There was a pile of trash in the garden. They burn their trash.
refuse formal (garbage, trash): They must burn or bury household refuse.
litter (pieces of trash that people leave in public places): Never drop litter in the park.
debris formal (pieces of useless material that are left behind): After the riot, the streets were littered with debris.
