The waste product accumulation theory of aging posits that the accumulation of waste products and other metabolic by-products in the body over time leads to cellular damage and ultimately, the aging process. Synonyms for this theory include the garbage catastrophe theory, the junk accumulation hypothesis, the metabolic waste theory, and the waste accumulation hypothesis. All of these terms refer to the same basic idea that the accumulation of harmful waste products within the body is a significant contributing factor to the aging process. While this theory is still subject to ongoing research and debate within the scientific community, it remains a widely accepted principle in the field of gerontology.