How Chemistry Helps Us Minimize Pollution and Manage Waste
Due to the increased human activities and pressure on natural resources becoming worse day by day, necessary precautions have to be taken to reduce it. If the same goes in a continual process at this rate, life on earth would become unsustainable. Many scientists and environmentalists are working to implement certain strategies to control environmental pollution. Due to some reasons, it is not happening. They made some plans on how to control environmental pollution, but eventually, the implementation had vanished. In contrast to the solid waste that we see in our household garbage bins, there are also industrial, medical, mining, and agricultural wastes. The environment has mostly been polluted by improper disposal of waste. Therefore, it is needed to keep an eye over waste disposal regularly.
When we look upon the effects of soil, air, and water pollution, the need to reduce environmental pollution comes into the picture. The required measures should be taken on an individual basis to reduce environmental pollution in the neighborhood as well, which should lead to a cleaner environment. Pollution occurs primarily because of the discharge of wastes and inefficient disposal. We should have a certain waste management strategy that should perform properly from its inception until the final disposal.
Waste Management
Every day, across thousands of cities in India, large quantities of waste materials are generated. Waste materials can be of many types, like domestic waste, chemical waste, and medical waste. Out of all this, domestic waste is one of the largest contributors to pollution in our cities as domestic waste is produced from every house, and hence, there should be a proper system to check the collection of domestic waste along with its proper treatment and disposal. All this comes under Waste Management.
To ensure proper collection of wastes, Municipal Organizations of the various cities in India should take a cue and ensure that there is proper infrastructure in place by which the collection of garbage from homes can be done. Also, this waste needs to be classified as plastic and non-plastic waste because the disposal of waste becomes much easier. To ensure proper disposal of waste, governments need to come up with innovative techniques as just throwing the garbage in open sinks leads to a host of environmental concerns. The disposal methods of plastic and non-plastic waste need very different technologies.
Collection of Wastes
The domestic waste generated should be collected into the bins and transferred to the municipal workers who take them to disposable sites. And there, the waste is sorted out and separated as biodegradable and non-biodegradable. The plastic wastes, non-biodegradable, such as bottles, plastic bags, and more, are sent for recycling. On the other side, the biodegradable wastes are deposited on the land and converted as compost.
If the waste is not collected properly for disposal, then it will be on its way into the sewers. And some amounts are eaten by the cattle - non-biodegradable wastes, including plastic bags and metal scrap, choke the sewers and cause incontinence. The cattle swallow these polythene bags and choke their throat. It becomes difficult for them to breathe and may lead to death.
Disposal of Wastes
All of us should follow the practice of collecting waste and disposing of it properly. If certain waste management techniques are not implemented, then it may result in epidemics due to groundwater contamination leading to Water Pollution. It is especially hazardous to the people who work with the wastes. For example, the rag pickers and a few workers who were involved in waste disposal. They are largely affected because they don’t follow any protective measures like wearing gloves and masks while handling the wastes.
Improper disposal may also allow poisonous gases to escape into the atmosphere and cause Air Pollution. In addition, the vehicles and the industries pumping hazardous gases, either directly or indirectly, affect humans’ lives and contribute to Air Pollution.
As responsible citizens, we should participate in proper waste disposal management and cooperate with the government. Throwing wastes at inappropriate locations should be strictly avoided. Efforts are taken to reduce vehicular emissions by encouraging the use of public transport, carpooling, and finding greener alternatives to the existing fuel. Encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy will go a long way in making our planet safer and healthier to live in.
Strategies to Reduce Waste
The strategies required to control pollution and reduce waste are as follows:
Ensure a proper collection system across municipalities of the waste generated in towns and cities.
Identify these wastes as medical, electrical, domestic waste, etc.
Classify these waste materials like plastic or non-plastic waste.
Non-Plastic waste materials have various uses like they can be used as fertilizers or they can be used as fuel materials to generate electricity in plants under controlled conditions.
Plastic, on the other hand, takes hundreds of years to decompose. Hence, the disposal of plastic requires innovation and new technologies, like using plastic to make roads.
In recent years, various breakthroughs have been made in this field that deal with providing alternatives to plastic, like using plates made up of leaves, the discovery of bacteria that decomposes a certain type of plastic, use of shopping bags that are made of decomposable materials instead of plastic, etc.
Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution
One of the ways to lessen air pollution is by using less fossil fuel. Some of the pollution control strategies to follow to reduce air pollution include the following:
Instead of driving, select to walk or ride a bike whenever possible.
Choose public transportation, instead of using own/commercial vehicles.
Maintain your vehicle tires with proper inflation.
Turn the lights off when you are about to leave a room.
Replace energy-hungry incandescent bulbs with some compact fluorescent bulbs or LEDs.
Go for natural resources like Windmills or Solar plates to avail electricity.
Plant more trees! Because trees filter air by inhaling carbon dioxide and providing fresh air.
Strategies to Reduce Environmental Pollution
Environmental pollution is also a major global concern due to the harmful effects of pollution on a person’s health and on the environment as well. Some of the strategies that are to be followed to lessen environmental pollution include the following:
Stop smoking or at least follow “No Smoking” regulations at public places.
Do not use open fires for waste disposal.
Instead of plastic, use eco-friendly or biodegradable products, because plastic-like products are highly toxic in nature.
Maintain proper waste disposal, especially for toxic wastes, and plan some strategies to reduce waste.
Do not litter in public places, and some anti-litter campaigns should be run to educate the public.
Don’t cause loud noises or unwanted sounds.
FAQs on Strategies to Control Pollution and Reduce Waste: Key Methods
1. What are the main strategies for controlling pollution and reducing waste?
The most effective strategies are based on the principle of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This involves decreasing consumption, finding new uses for old items, and processing waste materials to create new products. Other key methods include proper waste segregation at the source, treating industrial effluents before discharge, and adopting green chemistry principles to prevent pollution from being created in the first place.
2. What are some practical ways an individual can reduce waste at home?
You can make a significant impact at home by taking simple steps. Some effective methods include:
- Choosing products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
- Composting kitchen scraps like vegetable peels to create natural fertiliser.
- Avoiding single-use items like plastic bags, straws, and disposable cutlery.
- Donating or selling items you no longer need instead of throwing them away.
- Segregating dry and wet waste to make recycling more efficient.
3. Why is a proper garbage disposal system so important for the environment?
A proper garbage disposal system is crucial because it prevents the spread of diseases from decomposing waste. When garbage is left in the open, it becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, pests, and parasites. It can also contaminate soil and groundwater through a harmful liquid called leachate. An organised system ensures waste is managed safely, minimising health risks and environmental damage.
4. What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste?
The key difference lies in how they break down. Biodegradable waste, such as food scraps and paper, can be decomposed naturally by microorganisms. In contrast, non-biodegradable waste, like plastics, glass, and metals, cannot be broken down by natural processes and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing long-term pollution.
5. How does green chemistry help in preventing pollution?
Green chemistry is a proactive approach that aims to stop pollution before it starts. Instead of cleaning up waste after it has been created, it focuses on designing chemical products and processes that are inherently non-toxic and generate minimal waste. For example, it might involve using safer solvents, designing reactions that are more atom-efficient, or using renewable raw materials. This is a fundamental shift from traditional methods that often produced harmful by-products.
6. What are some specific strategies to control water pollution?
Controlling water pollution requires tackling it at its source. For industrial waste, this means treating wastewater to remove harmful chemicals before releasing it into rivers or lakes. For domestic sewage, effective sewage treatment plants (STPs) are essential. On an agricultural level, using organic fertilisers instead of chemical ones can prevent nutrient runoff that harms aquatic life. Simple personal actions, like not pouring oils or chemicals down the drain, also contribute significantly.
7. What are the biggest challenges in waste management today?
The biggest challenges include a lack of public awareness about proper waste segregation and the sheer volume of waste being generated. A major hurdle is managing non-biodegradable waste, especially plastic, which is difficult and expensive to recycle. Furthermore, safely disposing of special waste types like electronic waste (e-waste) and biomedical waste requires specialised, costly facilities that are not always available.
