DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIAL

 Would a place filled with trash and waste materials be preferable to live? Or its better to work, stay and do all the daily activities in a place with hygiene and suitable environment. Obviously we will be willing to work in a clean place. But, how and where to get such place? Nowadays, people don’t  even think where to throw the waste. Even if there may be a trash can nearby, they are least worry if it has a purpose. Pointing out this fact, waste materials if not disposed correctly can lead to epidemics. Disposal of waste materials is essential for the sanitation of city and health of citizens.

First of all, let us know about what really waste is. In case of human beings, we generate garbage. All the waste in the form of  fruit and vegetable peels, used stationary, packing material, unwanted and old furniture, used plastic objects, old clothes etc. is the garbage.

Now, to deal with the wastes generated by human beings it is important to know  that if any of the waste material is useful or not.

• Useful components out of waste materials can be reused or recycled.
• Components out of waste materials that cannot be used need to be disposed correctly.

As above mentioned while dealing with the waste materials if it can be recycled then its not a waste. But if it is useless then we should have a good idea about how to dispose the waste as per the kind of waste we are dealing with. Let's get to know some of the methods to dispose the waste materials.

Methods of Waste Disposal 

1. Land filling: 

A landfill is an open area located outside the city where garbage is collected and dumped. Garbage trucks collect the garbage throughout the city and dump it in the landfills. When area is fully covered and has no more space, it is covered with layers of soil. Later that area can be converted into a playground or a park.

The main advantage of land filling is that it is very easy way of disposal.Also, the demerit is that the garbage is kept open for a long time which attracts various insects and that particular area gets prone to different diseases.

2. Composting and Vermicomposting

Composting and Vermicomposting are the methods used to dispose biodegradable waste. The part of the waste materials which decays with time to form harmless substances are called biodegradable wastes. Composting is the process in which different biodegradable wastes are disposed or dumped in a pit which with time is converted into useful manure. Now, this process of decomposition  takes a long time and speed up this process worms are used for composting. Hence, the process is known as vermicomposting. Vermicompost is high quality manure.

Advantage of composting is that most of the waste is converted into manure and is being reused.

3. Incineration

Incineration is the waste disposal method used to dispose the medical waste. In this process, the waste is burnt at high temperature in a furnace called incinerator. A large amount of waste is burnt to create a small amount of ash which then is dumped in the land filling sites.

The main advantage of incineration is that a lot much of contaminated and medical waste is disposed using it.

Also, the disadvantage is that a huge amount of energy is required to burn the waste costing a large amount of fuel. It also leads to air pollution.

These were some methods how to deal with the waste materials of different types. Now, we are well aware about the kinds of waste out there. There are many more preventives and precautions of generating and disposing waste. To live in a better way, hygiene is one of the most important thing. If we will not take a step for our betterment, no one else will.

More about the disposal of the waste materials will be there in the upcoming blogs. Till then lets see around us and recognize the waste that we are now aware of.

Bibliography:

Trend of the research on construction and demolition waste management - author - H Yuan, L Shen

Healthcare waste management in Nigeria: A case study - author - SO Abah, EI Ohimain - Journal of Public health and Epidemiology, 2011

Health care waste management: a neglected and growing public health problem worldwide - author - MO Harhay, SD Halpern, JS Harhay

The future of waste management in smart and sustainable cities: A review and concept paper - author - B Esmaeilian, B Wang, K Lewis, F Duarte, C Ratti

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/
www.omicsonline.com
www.journal.elsevier.com