There is a lot of waste around us

[keannu]

Are these two all correct or only 2 correct? Can waste be both singular and plural?

1.There is a lot of waste around us
2.There are a lot of wastes around us

 

[5jj]

Only #1 is correct.

 

[keannu]

Only #1 is correct.

The dictionary says "wastes" for waste is possible, but is it wrong? Does waste have to be treated as garbage which is always singular?

 

[keannu]

The dictionary says "wastes" for waste is possible, but is it wrong? Does waste have to be treated as garbage which is always singular?

Has anyone seen wastes of something as a plural form?

 

[birdeen's call]

The dictionary says "wastes" for waste is possible, but is it wrong? Does waste have to be treated as garbage which is always singular?

What does the dictionary say exactly?

 

[keannu]

What does the dictionary say exactly?

This is a Korean web dictionary, and it defines the plural form of "wastes" and "toxic wastes" as an example.
.
MATERIALS | (wastes [pl.]) 쓰레기, 폐기물

household/industrial waste
가정(에서 나오는) 쓰레기/산업 폐기물
toxic wastes
유독 폐기물
waste disposal
쓰레기[폐기물] 처리

 

[birdeen's call]

This is a Korean web dictionary, and it defines the plural form of "wastes" and "toxic wastes" as an example.
.
MATERIALS | (wastes [pl.]) 쓰레기, 폐기물

household/industrial waste
가정(에서 나오는) 쓰레기/산업 폐기물
toxic wastes
유독 폐기물
waste disposal
쓰레기[폐기물] 처리

I believe the use of "toxic wastes" stems from the fact that there are many kinds of toxic waste.

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes, this is a specialised use of wastes which does not invalidate 5jj's answer in post #2.

As a general statement, only keannu's first sentence is correct (or would be if had a full stop at the end).

Rover