Storage of wastes before final disposal is done at three levels:

At source
Solid wastes are often stored at the source until they are picked up by waste collectors (collection crew) or taken out to be thrown into an open space or a community bin.

At community level
Community bins are used in crowded and narrow market areas, which is a common feature of most developing countries. Because of the high cost of door to door collection many waste management authorities have introduced community bins.

At transfer stations
Transfer stations are established, for economic reasons in cities, which have long haulage distances to final disposal sites. Smaller collection vehicles bring in the wastes collected at their source of generation or from the community bins and larger vehicles transport them away to final disposal sites. Transfer stations are also used as collection and sorting points for recycling materials.