WASTE MANAGEMENT
Intro
Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and
actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.
This includes the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of
waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste
management process and waste-related laws, technologies, and
economic mechanisms.
A specialized trash collection truck providing regular municipal trash
collection in a neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden
Waste pickers burning e-waste in Agbogbloshie, a site near Accra in
Ghana that processes large volumes of international electronic waste.
The pickers burn the plastics off of materials and collect the metals for
recycling, However, this process exposes pickers and their local
communities to toxic fumes.
Containers for consumer waste collection at the Gdańsk University of
Technology
A recycling and waste-to-energy plant for waste that is not exported
Waste can be solid, liquid, or gases and each type has different methods
of disposal and management. Waste management deals with all types
of waste, including industrial, biological, household, municipal, organic,
biomedical, radioactive wastes. In some Cases, waste can pose a threat
to human health.Health issues are associated with the entire process of
waste management. Health issues can also arise indirectly or directly:
directly through the handling of solid waste, and indirectly through the
consumption of water, soil, and food.Waste is produced by human
activity, for example, the extraction and processing of raw materials.
Waste management is intended to reduce the adverse effects of waste
on human health, the environment, planetary resources, and
aaesthetics
Aim
The aim of waste management is to reduce the dangerous effects of
such waste on the environment and human health. A big part of waste
management deals with municipal solid waste, which is created by
industrial, commercial, and household activity.
Waste management practices are not uniform among countries
(developed and developing nations); regions (urban and rural areas),
and residential and industrial sectors can all take different approaches.
Methods
Proper management of waste is important for building sustainable and
liveable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries
and cities. A report found that effective waste management is relatively
expensive, usually comprising 20%–50% of municipal budgets.
Operating this essential municipal service requires integrated systems
that are efficient, sustainable, and socially supported.
A large portion of waste management practices deal with municipal
solid waste (MSW) which is the bulk of the waste that is created by
household, industrial, and commercial activity.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
municipal solid waste is expected to reach approximately 3.4 Gt by
2050; however, policies and lawmaking can reduce the amount of waste
produced in different areas and cities of the world.
Measures of waste management include measures for integrated
techno-economic mechanisms
of a circular economy, effective disposal facilities, export and import
control and optimal sustainable design of products that are produced.
In the first systematic review of the scientific evidence around global
waste, its management, and its impact on human health and life,
authors concluded that about a fourth of all the municipal solid
terrestrial waste is not collected and an additional fourth is
mismanaged after collection, often being burned in open and
uncontrolled fires – or close to one billion tons per year when combined.
They also found that broad priority areas each lack a “high-quality
research base”, partly due to the absence of “substantial research
funding”, which motivated scientists often require.
Electronic waste (ewaste) includes discarded computer monitors,
motherboards, mobile phones and chargers, compact discs (CDs),
headphones, television sets, air conditioners and refrigerators.
According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2017, India generates ~ 2
million tonnes (Mte) of e-waste annually and ranks fifth among the e-
waste producing countries, after the United States, the People’s
Republic of China, Japan and Germany.
5R
The "5 R's" represent a hierarchy of actions to manage waste more
sustainably, and they stand for:
1. Refuse: The first step is to refuse items you don’t need, especially
single-use or disposable products. By saying no to unnecessary
items, you prevent waste generation in the first place.
2. Reduce: After refusing what you don’t need, the next step is to
reduce consumption. This involves buying and using fewer items
and conserving resources, which leads to less waste production.
3. Reuse: Reusing products and materials means finding ways to
extend their lifespan. This can be done by repairing, refurbishing,
or repurposing items instead of discarding them.
4. Recycle: Recycling involves the proper collection and processing of
materials like paper, glass, and plastic to transform them into new
products, thus reducing the need for raw materials and energy.
5. Rot (Compost): The final “R” is for composting organic waste, such
as food scraps and yard trimmings. Composting turns these
materials into nutrient-rich soil, diverting them from landfills.
Consequences of waste
The consequences of improper waste management can have significant
environmental, social, and economic impacts, including:
1. Environmental Consequences:
- Pollution: Poor waste disposal can lead to soil, air, and water
pollution through leachate and harmful emissions from landfills and
incineration.
- Habitat Destruction: Landfills and waste sites can disrupt ecosystems
and wildlife habitats.
- Resource Depletion: Improper waste management contributes to the
depletion of natural resources as new materials are constantly
produced to replace discarded ones.
2. Health Consequences:
- Public Health Risks: Exposure to hazardous waste and pollutants can
pose serious health risks to communities living near waste disposal
sites.
- Disease Transmission: Inadequate waste handling can promote the
spread of diseases through pests and contaminated water sources.
3. Economic Consequences:
- Resource Loss: Throwing away materials that could be recycled or
reused results in a loss of valuable resources.
- Cleanup Costs: The cost of cleaning up polluted areas and managing
the health-related consequences of improper waste disposal can be
substantial.
4. Social Consequences:
- **Community Disruption**: Waste disposal facilities are often
located in marginalized communities, leading to social and
environmental injustice.
- Aesthetic and Quality of Life Issues: Poor waste management affects
the aesthetics and livability of areas, reducing the quality of life for
residents.
Proper waste management is crucial to mitigate these consequences,
protect the environment, promote public health, and conserve
resources. Sustainable waste practices, including recycling, composting,
and responsible disposal, are key to addressing these issues.
What happens in the future
If we continue to accumulate more waste without effective waste
management and reduction strategies, several future consequences are
likely:
1. Environmental Degradation: Increased waste accumulation can
lead to more landfills and incinerators, contributing to land, air,
and water pollution. This can harm ecosystems, wildlife, and
overall environmental health.
2. Resource Depletion: As waste accumulates, valuable resources are
lost, and the need for raw materials intensifies, leading to
resource scarcity and increased mining or extraction.
3. Climate Change: Landfills and incineration release greenhouse
gases, contributing to climate change. The carbon footprint of
waste management grows with more waste accumulation.
4. Health Risks: Greater waste accumulation can expose
communities to more pollutants and hazardous materials,
increasing the risk of health issues and diseases.
5. Economic Burden: Dealing with growing waste volumes becomes
costly, impacting local and national budgets. Cleanup and
healthcare expenses may rise.
6. Space Shortage: Land for waste disposal becomes scarcer, leading
to conflicts over land use and potentially encroaching on natural
habitats.
To mitigate these future issues, it’s essential to prioritize waste
reduction, recycling, and sustainable waste management practices. This
includes embracing the circular economy, reducing single-use products,
and promoting responsible consumption to minimize waste
accumulation and its negative impacts.
if we don’t accumulate more waste in future
If we do not accumulate more waste in the future, it would have several
positive outcomes:
1. Environmental Benefits: Reduced waste accumulation would lead to
less pollution and degradation of natural ecosystems. It would help
protect biodiversity and reduce the strain on our planet's resources.
2. Health Improvement: Decreased waste accumulation means fewer
harmful pollutants and contaminants in the environment, which can
lead to improved public health and a lower risk of diseases related to
waste exposure.
3. Resource Conservation: Not generating as much waste would reduce
the need for raw materials and energy to produce and manage waste,
which can lead to resource conservation and energy savings.
4. Economic Savings: Managing waste is costly, so a reduction in waste
accumulation could result in economic savings for governments,
businesses, and individuals.
5. Sustainable Practices: A focus on waste reduction encourages
sustainable practices such as recycling, reusing, and minimizing
consumption, which can help create a more sustainable and responsible
society.
In summary, not accumulating more waste in the future would benefit
the environment, public health, resources, the economy, and promote
more sustainable living practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, waste management is a critical component of
environmental sustainability and public health. It involves a range of
strategies, from waste reduction and recycling to safe disposal.
Neglecting proper waste management can result in adverse
environmental, social, and economic consequences. To ensure a more
sustainable future, it is essential to prioritize responsible waste
handling, reduce waste generation, and promote recycling and reuse.
