Management of Garbage
Waste management practices differ across countries (developed and developing countries), regions (urban and rural areas), and residential and industrial sectors. Waste management is critical for the development of sustainable and livable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities. According to one study, effective waste management is relatively expensive, accounting for 20%-50% of municipal budgets.
Methods of Waste Disposal
Below are some ways for managing the garbage we produce:
Waste should, in general, be recycled or thermally treated. If this is not possible due to technical constraints or is not economically feasible, the waste is disposed of in a landfill after appropriate treatment. The following are the standard waste disposal methods used in Switzerland:
Recycling
Recycling encompasses both the direct reuse of used products (for example, used clothing and working parts removed from used vehicles) and material recycling, which is the recovery of raw materials from waste (e.g. production of new glass from fragments, the melting of scrap iron and the production of recycled building materials from construction waste). Downcycling is the process of converting waste into materials of lower quality than the original material.
- Sources of Solid Wastes
- Solid domestic garbage.
- Solid waste material from various industries.
- Solid agricultural waste.
- Plastics, glass, metals, e-waste, etc.
- Medical waste.
- Construction waste, sewage sludge
Management
The 5Rs of waste management are a set of principles that guide efforts to reduce the environmental impact of waste. These 5Rs are:
1.Refuse – This involves saying no to things that are not necessary, such as single-use plastics or excessive packaging.
2.Reduce – This emphasizes the importance of minimizing the amount of waste generated by using fewer resources and being more conscious of consumption.
3.Reuse – Instead of disposing of items after a single use, consider finding ways to reuse them. This could involve repurposing items or using durable goods that have a longer lifespan.
4.Repurpose – This involves giving items a new purpose or use, extending their lifespan, and reducing waste.
5.Recycle – Recycling involves processing used materials into new products, reducing the need for raw materials, and lowering the overall environmental impact.
Poor waste management - ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal -causes air pollution, water and soil contamination. Open and unsanitary landfills contribute to contamination of drinking water and can cause infection and transmit diseases. The dispersal of debris pollutes ecosystems and dangerous substances from electronic waste or industrial garbage puts a strain on the health of urban dwellers and the environment.
City-based initiatives
In 2014 India inaugurated the Swachh Bharat Mission, a five-year nationwide cleanup effort. Before this national consolidated effort for systematic and total waste management came into common consciousness, many cities and towns in India had already launched individual efforts directed at municipal waste collection of segregated waste, either based on citizen activism and/or municipal efforts to set up sustainable systems.
