Introduction to waste management in Environment

Introduction to waste management :
Waste management refers to the various schemes to
manage and dispose of wastes. It can be by discarding, destroying,
processing, recycling, reusing, or controlling wastes. The prime
objective of waste management is to reduce the amount of unusable
materials and to avert potential health and environmental hazards.

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.
Sources of waste :
Sources of waste can be broadly classified into four
types:
Industrial, Commercial, Domestic, and Agricultural.

Industrial Waste :
These are the wastes created in factories and industries. Most
industries dump their wastes in rivers and seas which cause a lot of
pollution.
Example: plastic, glass, etc.
 Commercial Waste :
Commercial wastes are produced in schools, colleges, shops, and
offices.
Example: plastic, paper, etc.

Domestic Waste :
The different household wastes which are collected during
household activities like cooking, cleaning, etc. are known as
domestic wastes.
Example: leaves, vegetable peels, excreta, etc.
 Agricultural Waste :
Various wastes produced in the agricultural field are known as
agricultural wastes.
Example: cattle waste, weed, husk, etc.

Types of Waste :
Commonly waste is classified into two types:
Biodegradable and
Non-biodegradable waste
These two kinds of wastes are explained below :
Biodegradable waste :
These are the wastes that come from our kitchen and it includes
food remains, garden waste, etc


 Biodegradable waste is also known as moist waste. This can be
composted to obtain manure. Biodegradable wastes decompose
themselves over a period of time depending on the material.
 Examples of biodegradable waste are:
waste food and fruits, wood, vegetables etc
 Non-biodegradable waste :
These are the wastes which include old newspapers, broken glass
pieces, plastics, etc. Non-biodegradable waste is known as dry
waste. Dry wastes can be recycled and can be reused. Non-
biodegradable wastes do not decompose by themselves and hence
are major pollutants.

 Examples of non-biodegradable waste :
 Glass, metals, electronic devices, computer parts, batteries, medical
waste, plastic bags, plastic bottles, tetra packs, and carbon paper are
a few examples of non- biodegradable materials .
Waste hierarchy / Principles of Waste management :
The waste management hierarchy replaces the traditional waste
management approach of “the three Rs” (reduce, reuse and recycle),
expanding it into a five-step process where the most preferred
actions are at the top and the least preferred are at the bottom of the
inverted pyramid.

Reduce :
The waste management hierarchy places top priority on reducing or
preventing as much waste generation as possible. This stage
encourages industries, communities and governments to reduce
their use of virgin raw materials to produce goods and services.
Reuse
When waste is created, the waste hierarchy prioritises reuse. Where
possible, reusing products and materials before it becomes waste is
the next best option.
By cleaning, repairing and refurbishing items, we can significantly
increase the number of things we reuse.

Recycling
Recycling is the most environmentally friendly solution when it
comes to disposing of waste. Recycling essentially turns our waste
into a new item or product, reducing the amount of raw materials
required.
Today, the majority of items we use can now be recycled.
Everyday products that we can recycle include paper, cardboard,
glass, wood, metal and most plastics.


Recovery :
Recovery is the next best option when we can't apply the first 3 Rs
of waste management in the waste hierarchy. For waste that we
can't recycle, it may be possible to recover energy in the form of
"waste to energy".
Waste to energy is the process of incinerating non-recyclable waste
to produce electricity. WtE helps reduce our reliance on fossil
fuels and decreases carbon emissions.
Disposal :
The least sustainable option in the waste hierarchy and our last
resort is landfill and incineration when energy recovery isn't
possible. In the UK, landfill is highly taxed by the government to
help promote more sustainable methods in the waste hierarchy.

 What is recycling :
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials
into reusable objects to prevent waste of potentially useful materials,
reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, energy usage, air
pollution (from incineration) and water pollution (from landfilling)
by decreasing the need for “conventional” waste disposal and
lowering greenhouse gas emissions compared to plastic production.
Types of recycling :
There are 3 basic types :
 Mechanical recycling
 Energy recycling

 Chemical recycling
1. Mechanical recycling :
One of the most globally used methods of giving residues new
usages is mechanic recycling. This method is used to recycle
plastics, either obtained from industrial scrap, or domestic, or
commercial disposals. The residues are mechanically transformed
into new materials without changing their chemical structures.
2. Energy Recycling
The method used to convert plastics into both thermal and electric
energy is called energy recycling. The process is done by
leveraging, through incineration and the heat is released in the form
of fuel.

3.Chemical Recycling
Among all types of recycling, chemical recycling is the most
complex method. In this process, the chemical structures of plastics
are modified after reprocessing them. The final product is produced
to be used as raw material in different Industries.
4. plastic recycling?
Plastic recycling reduces the need to extract new, raw
materials from the earth as it reuses the stuff that's already
processed and protects natural resources. This can help
reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases into the
atmosphere. It also prevents adding more rubbish to
landfills.

5. Paper recycling :
Paper recycling pertains to the processes of reprocessing
waste paper for reuse. Waste papers are either obtained from paper
mill paper scraps, discarded paper materials, and waste paper
material discarded after consumer use. Examples of the commonly
known papers recycled are old newspapers and magazines.
6. Glass recycling :
Glass recycling, or glass reprocessing, is the process of turning
waste glass back into usable products. This involves washing,
crushing and melting used glass before moulding it back into bottles
and jars. This cycle can be repeated endlessly with no loss in quality
to the end product.

7. Metal recycling :
Metal recycling is simply the process of taking waste metal,
processing it and creating new metal material. This recycled metal
can be used to make metal products which can then be recycled once
used or not needed. There are many advantages to recycling metal,
including environmental benefits as well as energy savings.
8.Electroni recycling :
Electronic waste recycling, electronics recycling or e-waste
recycling is the disassembly and separation of components and raw
materials of waste electronics; when referring to specific types of e-
waste, the terms like computer recycling or mobile phone recycling
may be used.

9. Textile recycling :
Textile recycling is the process of recovering fiber, yarn, or
fabric and reprocessing the material into new, useful products.
Textile waste is split into pre-consumer and post-consumer waste and
is sorted into five different categories derived from a pyramid model.
10. Organic waste recycling :
Organic recycling refers to a closed loop activity where
natural materials are converted from organic waste to energy, gas,
water, and biomass.

11. Battery recycling :
Battery recycling is a recycling activity that aims to reduce the
number of batteries being disposed as municipal solid waste.
12. Tire recycling :
Tire recycling, or rubber recycling, is the process of recycling
waste tires that are no longer suitable for use on vehicles due to wear
or irreparable damage. These tires are a challenging source of waste.

13. Water recycling :
Water reuse (also commonly known as water recycling or
water reclamation) reclaims water from a variety of sources then
treats and reuses it for beneficial purposes such as agriculture and
irrigation, potable water supplies, groundwater replenishment,
industrial processes, and environmental restoration.

Phase 2: Processing
In this phase, the items reach the MRF (Material Recovery
Facility). The sorting, cleaning, and processing occur at the facility.
Thus, they separate the reusable materials. The separation happens
in two ways:
 Manual separation of the items
 Machines sort the items
Phase 3: Manufacturing
After sorting the recyclables, they bundle them into cubes. The
facility sends the cubes to the manufecturers .

The recycling plants use the shipped products to make recycled
materials. Since each material is different, the recycling method also
differs.
Importance of recycling :
 1. Protects Ecosystems and Wildlife.
When we recycle, we lessen disruption to the natural world. When
we cut down fewer trees and forests, we are preventing harm to
animals.
2. Conserve of natural resourse :
Some of the world’s natural resources are in short supply, and when
we recycle, we help conserve these natural resources

3. Saves Energy :
Making products from recycled materials requires less energy
than making them from new, raw materials.
4. Reduces the Need to Harvest New Materials
. When we recycle, we reduce the possibility of damaging someone
else’s land or community.
5. Reduces Carbon Emissions
Recycling takes up less energy, which reduces our carbon footprint
and emissions

Different ways to reduce waste:
So many decisions we make in our daily lives have impacts
on our planet. The average American produces about 4.4 of trash per
day. Explore our tips for ways you can make small changes that are
eco-friendly and will have a lasting effect on the environment.
1. Use a reusable bottle/cup for beverages on-the-go :
You might already have a reusable water bottle, but do you use it
all the time? You can put that reusable bottle to use, save money and
reduce waste. By taking your own water with you, you will also
reduces the chances of purchasing expensive beverages on to go.

.2. Use reusable grocery bags, and not just for groceries
Just like a reusable water bottle, you may already have a
reusable grocery bag, though it’s often forgotten at home. Try writing
BAGS on the top of your grocery list to help you remember, or keep
them in the back seat where they aren’t as easy to forget.
3. Purchase wisely and recycle
You can reduce the amount of waste you produce by purchasing
products that come with less packaging and/or come in packaging
that can be recycled

4 . Compose it :
Your fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds,
grass clippings and leaves can all be composted. While
composting requires more effort than the previously mentioned
lifestyle changes, it will provide you with a beneficial return on
your investment of time and effort.
5. Avoid single-use food and drink containers and utensils
Whenever possible, try to avoid single-use coffee cups,
disposable utensils, straws and napkins. Some businesses will
even give you a discount on your coffee for bringing your own
mug. Keep a set of silverware at work along with a plate, bowl
and cup that you can wash and reuse.

6. Buy secondhand items and donate used goods :
Before you go buy something new, consider buying it used
which can also save you lots of money. By purchasing secondhand
items you’ll be supporting local charities in addition to saving items
from ending up in the dump.
 7. Shop local farmers markets and buy in bulk to reduce
packaging :
Shopping at your local farmers market is a win-win. First, you’ll be
supporting local farmers while also getting fresher ingredients than
you might find in the big-box grocery store.

8. Curb your use of paper: mail, receipts, magazines :
In today’s digital world, most companies offer bills by
email, and some even offer incentives to do so. More stores are
offering e-receipts, too, which are great because they’re harder to
lose if you need to make a return. Consider digital subscriptions for
your favorite magazines that you can read on your tablet or
computer. Digital subscriptions are often a little cheaper than the
hard-copy version, as well.

Introduction to waste management in Environment

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