Waste Management
We can see and observe heaps and heaps of garbage lying along the streets while passing through highways. This is partly because open dumping is the most common method of disposing off the waste in India.
The trash heaps are usually left hospitable to the environment and therefore the elements. These seldom have a sparse covering and may often attract pests or vermin.
Sometimes, these dumps are subjected to open burning, which may release toxic fumes and smokes. Occasionally there have been instances where enough heat has been generated to trigger an Unconstrained Ignition.
Sometimes, wastes are illegally dumped into rivers and canals that fill land depressions without proper consultations. These practices cause a ton of issues over the long haul. These can prompt the corruption of the soil quality to drain harmful synthetic substances into underground water sources. Therefore, to stop such scenarios, proper waste disposal policies should be adopted.
Waste Management Techniques
Garbage accretion has never been much of a concern in the past, but due to globalization and industrialization, there is a need for a more efficient waste management method. Following are some of the modus operandi that are used today.
Landfill
In this process, the waste that can't be reused or recycled are separated out and spread as a skinny layer in low-lying areas across a city. A blanket of soil is added after each layer of trash. However, once this process is complete, the piece of land is said unfit for construction of buildings for the subsequent 20 years. All things considered, it can be utilized as a jungle gym or a recreation centre.
Incineration
Incineration is the process of controlled combustion of garbage to scale back it to incombustible matter like ash and waste gas. The fumes released from this process might be harmful and toxic, subsequently, are treated prior to being liberated into the environment. This process reduces the volume of waste by 90 per cent and is considered one of the most hygienic means of waste disposal. In some cases, the heat liberated is employed to supply electricity. However, some consider this process, not environmentally friendly given the generation of greenhouse gases like CO2 and carbon monoxide gas.
Waste Compaction
The waste materials like cans and plastic bottles are compacted into blocks and sent for recycling. This process quickens the oxidation of metals and decreases airspace need, subsequently making transit and positioning simple.
Biogas Generation
Biodegradable waste, such as food items, animal waste or organic industrial waste from food packaging industries are sent to biodegradation plants. In bio-degradation plants, they're converted to biogas by degradation with the assistance of bacteria, fungi, or other microbes. Here, organic matter is food for microorganisms. The breakdown can happen with oxygen (aerobically) or without oxygen (anaerobically). Biogas is created because of this cycle, which is utilized as fuel, and the buildup is utilized as fertilizer.
Composting
All organic materials decompose with time. Food scraps, yard squander, and so on, makes up a significant portion of the natural waste we toss each day. The process of composting starts with these organic wastes being buried under layers of soil and then left to decay under the action of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.
This results in the formation of nutrient-rich manure. Additionally, this interaction guarantees that the nutrients are recharged in the dirt. Other than enhancing the dirt, composting the dirt additionally increases its water retention capacity. In agriculture, it's the simplest alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is the way of utilizing worms for the debasement of organic matter to supplement rich manure. Worms consume and digest organic matter. The results of assimilation which are discharged out by the worms make the dirt supplement rich, consequently upgrading the development of microbes and other organisms. Additionally, it is definitely more compelling than the conventional method of treating the soil.
Causes of Waste Management
The causes of waste management are important to know from a tutorial perspective. If not for efficient waste management, the streets would be suffering from filth, lakes and rivers would become very toxic at all times. Human health would be severely affected if careful waste management practices didn't exist. Therefore, the main causes of waste management practices inherit play after environmental disasters especially oil spills. The primary purpose of waste management is to make sure that proper actions and activities are undertaken from the initial creation to final disposal. The obliviousness of the environment's predicament fundamentally adds to the making of waste management principle.
FAQs on Causes of Waste Management
1. What are the primary reasons that necessitate organised waste management systems?
Organised waste management is essential due to several key factors driven by modern society. The primary reasons include:
- Protecting Public Health: Improperly disposed waste becomes a breeding ground for pathogens, pests, and vectors that transmit diseases.
- Environmental Conservation: Unmanaged waste leads to the pollution of soil, water, and air. Leachate from dumpsites contaminates groundwater, while open burning releases toxic gases.
- Resource Conservation: Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation lead to increased consumption and waste generation. Effective management helps recover valuable materials through recycling and reuse, conserving natural resources.
- Aesthetic Value: Accumulations of garbage degrade the scenic and aesthetic value of natural and urban landscapes.
2. What are the main methods used for the disposal and processing of solid waste?
Several methods are employed to manage solid waste, each suitable for different types of materials. Key methods explained in the CBSE syllabus include:
- Landfill: Waste is spread in thin layers in low-lying areas, compacted, and covered with soil. It is a common method for non-recyclable waste.
- Incineration: This involves the controlled combustion of waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume to ash. The heat generated can be used to produce electricity.
- Composting: Organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings are decomposed by microorganisms into a nutrient-rich manure.
- Vermicomposting: A specialised form of composting that uses earthworms to break down organic matter, producing highly fertile compost called worm castings.
- Biogas Generation: Biodegradable waste is broken down by microbes in an anaerobic environment to produce biogas (a mixture of methane and CO2), which can be used as fuel.
3. How does the improper disposal of waste directly lead to environmental pollution?
Improper waste disposal is a primary cause of environmental pollution. When waste is not managed scientifically, it directly impacts ecosystems by:
- Contaminating Soil: Harmful chemicals and liquids (leachate) from waste dumps seep into the ground, degrading soil quality and making it unfit for agriculture.
- Polluting Water Bodies: Dumping waste into rivers, lakes, and oceans introduces toxic substances that harm aquatic life and contaminate drinking water sources.
- Causing Air Pollution: The open burning of garbage releases toxic gases like carbon monoxide, dioxins, and furans into the atmosphere, contributing to respiratory diseases and climate change.
4. What is the fundamental difference between composting and vermicomposting?
While both are methods for decomposing organic waste, the fundamental difference lies in the biological agent used. Composting relies on the natural action of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi to break down organic matter. Vermicomposting, on the other hand, uses specific species of earthworms to consume and digest the organic material, which significantly speeds up the process and produces a more nutrient-rich end product known as vermicompost or worm castings.
5. Why is incineration considered a controversial waste management method despite its efficiency?
Incineration is highly efficient, reducing waste volume by up to 90% and capable of generating energy from heat (waste-to-energy). However, it is controversial primarily due to its environmental impact. The combustion process can release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide), heavy metals, and toxic compounds like dioxins, if the emissions are not properly filtered and treated. This potential for air pollution makes it a subject of environmental concern.
6. What are the main categories of solid waste that require management?
To apply the correct management strategy, solid waste is generally classified into three main categories based on its properties:
- Biodegradable Waste: This includes organic material that can be broken down by microorganisms, such as kitchen waste (vegetable peels, leftover food), agricultural residue, and paper.
- Non-biodegradable Waste: This category consists of materials that do not decompose naturally, such as plastics, glass, and metals. These are often targeted for recycling.
- Hazardous Waste: This includes waste that is toxic, flammable, or corrosive and poses a significant threat to health and the environment. Examples include e-waste, batteries, medical waste, and industrial chemicals.
7. How do modern waste management practices contribute to the concept of a circular economy?
Modern waste management moves beyond simple disposal and is a key pillar of the circular economy. Instead of a linear 'take-make-dispose' model, it focuses on closing the resource loop. Practices like recycling turn materials like plastic and metal into raw materials for new products. Methods like composting and biogas generation convert organic waste into valuable resources like nutrient-rich fertiliser and fuel. This approach minimises the extraction of virgin resources, reduces landfill dependency, and transforms 'waste' into a valuable asset.
