What is Garbage?
Garbage is defined as items or materials that should be discarded because they serve no purpose for us or are no longer useful to us. We consistently produce enormous amounts of garbage. Garbage often has a strong odour, and a large amount of garbage can emit harmful fumes. As a result, such items are placed in dustbins and transported to distant locations to ensure that our environmental factors are perfect and sound. Garbage waste includes vegetable and fruit strips, leftover food, waste paper and plastic materials, and a variety of other waste items.
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.
Operating this critical municipal service necessitates the implementation of integrated systems that are efficient, sustainable, and socially supported. A significant portion of waste management practises deal with municipal solid waste (MSW), which accounts for the majority of waste generated by household, industrial, and commercial activity.
Municipal solid waste is expected to reach approximately 3.4 Gt by 2050, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); however, policies and lawmaking can reduce the amount of waste produced in various areas and cities around the world. Waste management measures include integrated techno-economic mechanisms[9] of a circular economy, effective disposal facilities, export and import control, and optimal sustainable product design.
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.
Chemical-Physical and Biological Treatment
The goal of both chemical-physical and biological treatment is to allow for the removal of pollutants from waste or its safe disposal. Wastewater and polluted excavated material are common types of waste managed in this manner. Following chemical-physical treatment, pollutants in concentrated form can be disposed of in facilities designed for this purpose.
Landfills
Residues from waste incineration or waste that is not suitable for material recycling or thermal treatment are deposited in legally required landfills. If the waste cannot be disposed of in a landfill, it must be pre-treated.
Collection and Logistics
Many different specialised actors are involved in the waste management sector. Their responsibilities include waste collection at the source (industry, commerce, and households), intermediate storage, and handover to waste disposal operations. Waste treatment is frequently based on a chain reaction of specialised plants. In all cases, smooth logistics are required for effective waste management. In the case of hazardous waste, the handover must be documented in accordance with the Ordinance on Waste Movements.
Interesting Facts
On average, each person produces approximately 4.5 pounds of waste per day.
As of 2021, the world generated over 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually. At least 33% of that waste was not managed in an environmentally safe manner.
80 billion pounds of food is thrown away each year in the US. This is equivalent to 1000 Empire State Buildings.
The food waste generated from our houses can be composted and used as fertilisers.
Important Questions
Why should we not throw garbage in plastic bags?
Ans: We should not put garbage in plastic bags because stray animals looking for food in these knotted bags are unable to reach the food and end up eating the entire plastic bag. They sometimes die as a result of this. Plastic bags that are carelessly thrown on roads and other public places end up in drains and the sewer system. As a result, drains become clogged and water spills onto the roads, potentially creating a flood-like situation during heavy rain.
What can we do to minimise garbage generation?
Ans: We can take following steps to reduce garbage generation:
We can practise vermicomposting at home and be mindful of our kitchen waste.
We should recycle paper, old books, metal cans, glass bottles, and other materials by selling them to kabadiwalas.
We should write on both sides of the paper. For rough work, we should use a slate.
As much as possible, we should make our family, friends, and others aware of the hazards of garbage and follow proper waste disposal practises.
In a nutshell, we must keep in mind and consider that the more garbage we produce, the more difficult it will be to overcome this threat.
Conclusion
Waste management is a critical issue that requires immediate government action.
Currently, there is very little awareness of this issue in our society.
The practices of generating waste are too dangerous not only for today, but also for future generations.
It is critical to educate people and encourage them to recycle, reuse, and reduce rather than generate waste.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The most serious Environmental effect posed by hazardous wastes is
Air Pollution
Contamination of Groundwater
Increased use of land for landfills
None of these
Answer: (b)
Step by step solution:
The most serious environmental effect posed by hazardous wastes is contamination of groundwater.
When groundwater is contaminated by hazardous waste, it becomes unfit for drinking and other purposes.
And it cannot be treated easily as it is expensive and difficult to remove hazardous wastes from water.
2. Which was the first city to establish a system of waste removal?
Lahore
Athens
Paris
London
Answer: (b)
Step by step solution
The first occurrence of an organised solid waste management system appeared in London in the late 18th century.
A waste collection and resource recovery system was established around the 'dust-yards'.
FAQs on Managing the Garbage We Produce in an Efficient Way
1. What is garbage, and how is it classified based on the NCERT syllabus?
Garbage refers to any unwanted or useless material that is discarded. According to the CBSE curriculum, garbage is primarily classified into two main types based on its ability to decompose:
- Biodegradable waste: This includes materials that can be broken down into natural, harmless substances by microorganisms. Examples are kitchen waste like fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, paper, and leaves.
- Non-biodegradable waste: This includes materials that cannot be broken down by natural processes. They persist in the environment for thousands of years, causing pollution. Examples are plastics, glass, metal cans, and electronic waste.
2. What are the '3Rs' for managing garbage, and why are they important?
The '3Rs' are a sequence of actions to minimise waste and are fundamental to efficient garbage management. They are important because they help conserve resources, save energy, and reduce pollution. The three Rs are:
- Reduce: This is the most important step. It means creating less waste in the first place, for example, by buying products with less packaging or avoiding single-use items.
- Reuse: This involves using items multiple times before discarding them. For instance, using a glass jar for storage after its contents are finished or donating old clothes.
- Recycle: This is the process of converting waste materials into new products. For example, recycling old newspapers to make new paper or melting plastic bottles to create fibres for clothing.
3. What is composting, and how can it help manage garbage at home?
Composting is a natural process where biodegradable waste, such as vegetable peels, leftover food, and garden waste, is broken down by microorganisms into a rich, dark, soil-like material called compost. At home, composting is an excellent way to manage kitchen waste. Instead of throwing organic waste in the dustbin, it can be collected in a compost bin. This not only reduces the amount of garbage sent to landfills but also creates a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used for garden plants, improving soil health without chemical fertilisers.
4. How does improper garbage disposal lead to soil and water pollution?
Improper garbage disposal directly harms the environment by causing pollution. When garbage is dumped in open areas, harmful chemicals and liquids seep from the waste into the ground. This toxic liquid, known as leachate, contaminates the soil and can reach the groundwater, making it unfit for drinking. Furthermore, when it rains, garbage from open dumps is washed into nearby drains, rivers, and lakes, leading to water pollution that harms aquatic life and ecosystems.
5. Why is burning waste, especially plastic, considered a harmful way to manage garbage?
Burning waste in the open, especially materials like plastic and rubber, is extremely harmful because it releases a cocktail of poisonous gases into the atmosphere. The combustion of plastics can produce toxic fumes like dioxins and furans, which are known carcinogens and can cause severe respiratory problems and other health issues. This practice directly contributes to air pollution and is much more dangerous than disposing of waste through proper channels like recycling or designated landfills.
6. What is the difference between reusing and recycling garbage?
Although both are part of the 3Rs, reusing and recycling are different concepts. Reusing means using an object as it is, without breaking it down, for the same or a different purpose. For example, using an old jam jar to store spices. Recycling involves processing waste material to make a completely new product. For example, melting down old plastic bottles to create new plastic pellets, which are then used to manufacture new items.
7. What is a landfill, and what are its major environmental disadvantages?
A landfill is a large, designated area of land used for the disposal of non-recyclable and non-compostable waste by burying it. While it is a common method of waste management, it has significant environmental disadvantages:
- Pollution: Landfills produce harmful leachate that can pollute soil and groundwater.
- Greenhouse Gases: The decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
- Land Use: They occupy vast areas of valuable land that could be used for other purposes.
- Odour and Pests: Landfills can be a source of foul odours and attract pests, affecting nearby communities.
8. What happens to the garbage after it is collected from our homes by the municipality?
After garbage is collected from homes, it undergoes several stages of management. First, it is transported in large trucks to a central waste processing facility. At this facility, the mixed garbage is segregated into different categories: biodegradable, recyclable (plastic, paper, glass, metal), and non-recyclable waste. Biodegradable waste is often sent for composting, while recyclable materials are sent to recycling plants. The remaining waste that cannot be composted or recycled is transported to a sanitary landfill for final disposal.
