Waste Management Flashcards
Why is waste management needed?
- The growing human population and number of industries has led to the accumulation of enormous amounts of waste which cannot be recycled naturally
- Increasing urbanisation has led to the overcrowding of cities. This has caused a lack of space for the safe disposal of waste
- Waste accumulation is a health hazard as it leads to unsanitary conditions and the spread of various infectious diseases such as cholera, dysentry, etc.
- Waste management can not only eliminate the surrounding waste but also reduce the intensity of greenhouse gases and reduce the air, water and radioactive pollution caused by it
Define biodegradable waste
Biodegradable waste is organic waste that can be decomposed or broken down by micro-organisms and other living beings.
Define segregation
Segregation of waste means dividing the waste into different categories like dry and wet or biodegradable and non-biodegradable
Define dry and wet waste
Dry-waste is waste that does not decay and is non-biodegradable
Wet waste is waste that is organic in nature and is biodegradable
What are the different types of non-biodegradable waste?
Recyclable waste, Toxic waste, Soiled waste
Why is segregation necessary?
There is a reduction in the volume of waste that reaches landfills
Air and water pollution is considerably reduced
It becomes easier to apply different processes of waste disposal like composting, recycling and incineration
How is segregation done?
In colonies various types of dustbins are used to segregate glass, metals, paper, etc. Each type is handled separately by reusing, recycling or disposing it.
Households should also segregate domestic waste.
Rag pickers make a living by sorting out reusable and recyclable items from discarded solids.
What is dumping?
It is an easy method of disposal of dry refuse in which solid wastes are dumped in a low lying area and as a result of bacterial action, refuse decreases considerably in volume and are converted gradually into humus.
What is open dumping?
Method of waste disposal in which waste materials are dumped in open low lands far away from the city
Why must open dumping be avoided?
It is not environment friendly.
The open pit ruins the sight of the area and becomes breeding ground for flies and insects that are the carriers of harmful diseases.
They give out foul odour.
The burning of waste material in the open dump pollutes the air.
Rainwater can carry harmful substances to the nearby waterbodies and if the water seeps down it can pollute the groundwater.
What is a sanitary landfill?
A method of disposal in which waste is packed and dumped daily at the site and is covered with earth to prevent insects and rodents from entering the landfill.
What are the advantages of sanitary landfill?
It is free from air pollution due to burning
Health problems are minimised as flies, rats and other pests cannot breed in the landfill due to covered wastes
Mostly free from fire hazards
How can plantation be done at a landfill site?
- A vegetative cover should be provided over the landfill site
- Locally adopted non-edible perennial plants that are resistant to drought and extreme temperatures should be planted
- Selected plants should have the ability to thrive on low nutrient soil with minimum nutrient addition
- Plantation should be made in sufficient density to minimise erosion
What is composting?
Composting of waste is an aerobic method of decomposing solid wastes in which organic wastes from households are made to undergo decomposition in such a way that bacteria and other micro-organisms break them down and produce a safe, clean and soil-like material called compost.
What is the Indore Method of Composting?
- Layers of vegetable waste and night soils are alternated in a shallow hole dug in the ground
- The mixture is turned regularly for three months to provide air to the mixture
- The compost is then left alone for another month without turning for the process to take effect
