Waste Segregation & amp; Waste Management: A need of today and every day.

Waste Segregation & Waste Management: A need for today and every day.

Waste management has been defined as the “generation, prevention, characterisation, monitoring, treatment, reuse, and residue deposition of solid wastes.” Waste management is one of the most integral issues of any city or country. Improper waste management leads to the breeding of mosquitoes and spread of various epidemic and endemic diseases. The impact of improper waste management could be fatal in nature.

Waste Management and waste segregation include several factors which we shall further throw light upon:

• Generation Of Waste
• Waste Minimisation
• Refuse, Reuse and Recycle
• Landfill Disposal
• Treatment of Waste Disposal

Let us now look deeper into the treatment of waste materials. It is important to adopt the right method of waste disposal for the right type of waste. So I am going to highlight a few types of waste management techniques.

• Landfills: In this method of disposal, waste and deposits are buried in the surface of the earth, thereby, named landfills. This is one of the most common and oldest practises in the country. An adequately designed landfill can serve as a hygienic as well as inexpensive method of waste management. This form of waste generally serves as organic waste. This can also help us generate electricity if the gas generated through the organic waste is collected through perforated pipes.

• Incineration: The second method of disposing of wastes is incineration. Under this method of waste segregation solid organic wastes are subjected to combustion so that they are converted into residue and gaseous products which can further be used to generate electricity. This method is useful for disposal of residue of both solid waste management and solid residue from waste water management. The process of incineration has proven to reduce solid residue for about 20 percent to 30 percent from the original volume.

• Recycling: This is one of the easiest and cost effective ways of waste management. Recycling is the new method which is being highly accepted by individuals all around the world. The process is fairly simple and can be adopted by anyone. This is referred to as a resource recovery process wherein waste materials are collected and reused. The materials that these items are made up of can be processed to create new products. The most recycled material other than paper is aluminium from beverage cans.

• Biological Reprocessing: The next waste management technique that we are to look into is biological reprocessing. It is the process of composting and decomposing organic matter. This process results in the creation of organic matter which is then further used for organic purposes.

• Resource Recovery: the last method of waste management that we look into is resource recovery. This refers to the systematic diversion of waste, which was intended for disposal, for a specific next use. It is the process of using recyclable material to extract reusable items.

It is to be noted that none of the above mentioned waste management techniques are too difficult for households themselves to adopt. Taking the extra effort and going the extra mile to manage waste effectively is very important. To begin with, we can always start with segregation of our wastes into dry waste and wet waste. Where the dry waste could be recycled and the wet waste could be used for composting and organic fertilising.

By far, we have looked into what waste management is, the types of segregation of waste we can adopt and the different ways waste can be disposed of rightly. We all must be wondering, what is the use of taking so much of effort in recycling, reducing and reusing articles. Why is it so important to segregate our waste? Well, let us highlight some of the benefits of doing this:

1. Economic benefits: Some of the economic benefits would be improving economic efficiency through resource reuse.
2. Social benefits: Reduction  of adverse impacts result in better standard of living and healthy life styles
3. Environmental benefits: It would help improve the quality of lifestyle by improving aor and water conditions.
4. Inter-generational equity: Following effective waste management practices can provide subsequent generations a more robust economy, a fairer and more inclusive society and a cleaner environment.

The effects of waste management are long term and long lasting. Teaching the future generation the importance of a balanced and healthy life style and instilling in them environmental values is essential. Technological advancement must help in reducing waste materials and maximise efficiency and resource allocation. A small step can be a great leap towards happiness and health.