Dross (noun)

1. Waste or impure matter that is separated from good material.
2. Something regarded as valueless or unimportant.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old norse drōs; related to drosna "to fall".

Examples:

1. The dross was skimmed off the top of the molten metal.
2. His comments were seen as dross, lacking substance or insight.
3. The company is committed to removing the dross from their operations.
4. Her poetry was not without value, but much of it was dross.
5. The dross of society congregated in the cheap bars on the outskirts of town.