Waste

Management
What is Waste Management and
Waste Disposal?
• Waste management is the processes that are taken to dispose of
different types of waste appropriately. These processes are
collecting, transporting, processing and disposing of waste
materials.
• Waste disposal is different to waste management. Waste disposal
refers to one of the processes in waste management, and this is
when waste is thrown away in a safe and responsible manner.
There are many different methods of waste disposal and some are
more appropriate than others (depending on the type of waste).
Types of waste
• There are various types of waste, such as:
- Municipal Solid Waste (MSW): This is everyday waste that is mostly generated by households, institutions and businesses.
Examples of MSW are food scraps, packaging, paper/cardboard, plastics, metals and glass.
- Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste is any waste that can pose a threat to human life, wildlife or to the environment. This
type of waste is hazardous due to its toxic, corrosive, flammable or reactive properties. Examples are chemicals,
batteries, acids, pesticides, gasoline and mercury).
- Industrial Waste: This refers to the unused materials, byproducts and residues generated by industries and manufacturers.
It can include solid wastes, liquid wastes (e.g. chemicals and wastewater etc), sludge (a thick waste from industrial water
treatments) and airborne waste (e.g. dust, fumes and emissions that are released from production).
- E-waste: Also known as electronic waste, refers to discarded devices and equipment that are no longer functional and
cannot be used. Examples of electronic waste are consumer electronics (e.g. phones, laptops, tablets and cameras),
household appliances (e.g. refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves), office equipment (e.g. printers, fax
machines and computer components).
Biodegradable and Non-
biodegradable
• Bio-degradable waste refers to organic waste that is able to naturally decompose/break
down into smaller and simpler substances with the help of microorganisms (such as
bacteria and fungi). Examples of biodegradable waste are food waste (e.g. vegetable
peels, leftover food and fruit scraps), garden waste (e.g. grass, branches and flowers)
and wood/natural fibers (e.g. sawdust, untreated wood, cotton and wool).
• Non-biodegradable waste refers to materials that cannot break down and decompose on
their own, or they take extremely long to break down. Non-biodegradable waste often
cause harm to the environment if not managed properly. Examples of non-
biodegradable waste are plastics (e.g. bottles, bags and containers), metals (e.g. cans,
metal scraps and steel products), synthetic materials (e.g. rubber, nylon and
Styrofoam), glass (e.g. bottles, windows and jars), and e-waste (e.g. phones batteries
and computers).
Positive effects of correct waste
management/disposal
• Correct waste management can have many benefits. For example, it can bring benefits to the environment,
economy and public health.
• Environmental benefits: Proper waste management can also have benefits. For example, proper disposal
keeps our air, water and soil clean which protects nature and wildlife (less pollution in the environment),
recycling saves natural resources such as wood, water and minerals by reusing materials (conservation of
resources), reducing waste being put into landfills helps to decrease harmful gases (such as methane),
which can contribute to climate change and proper waste disposal keep cities and nature clean as litter is
being prevented.
• Economic benefits: Proper waste management can have benefits on the economy. Waste management can
create jobs in recycling, composting, and waste processing (allowing for more individuals to get jobs and
make money), proper disposal saves money by reducing the cost of cleaning polluted areas and dealing
with health issues, and recycling turns waste into raw materials which saves money for industries.
• Health benefits to the public: Proper waste disposal can stop waste from attracting pests and spreading
diseases, proper waste disposal also leads to a cleaner environment which improves the overall public
health and quality of life.
Negative effects of inadequate waste
management/disposal
• Inadequate waste management and disposal can have negative effects on the environment, health of individuals and the
economy.
• Environmental effects: Incorrect waste management and waste disposal can have negative effects on the environment as it
can cause pollution and also contribute to pollution. Improper disposal can lead to air, water and soil contamination. It
can also have effects on wildlife and ecosystems. For example, animals can get tangled up in improperly discarded waste
which can hurt and injure them (can also lead to death).
• Health of the public: Inadequate waste disposal and management can lead to the spread of diseases as it will allow for
microorganisms to grow easier and much quicker due to the circumstances and this increases diseases such as malaria
and cholera. Another effect is those who live near dump sites are exposed to hazardous substances and this can lead to
respiratory problems, skin conditions and could even lead to cancer.
• Economic effects: Inadequate waste disposal and management can lead to a high cleanup costs. This is because methods
such as landfills have loads of waste piling up can lead to big and very large piles that will take longer and take more
effort to clear up. Another effect on the economy is that valuable materials can be lost. Materials that can be recycled,
such as glass, plastic, metal and wood are often thrown to waste even though it is recommended to recycle them so
society can use them for the better.
Hazardous and Non- hazardous
Waste can fall into either two categories, Hazardous or Non-hazardous.
Hazardous: Hazardous substances include things such as chemicals, contaminated waste
and batteries. These are considered and classified as hazardous waste as they contain
harmful chemicals or harmful materials. For example, batteries are considered hazardous
waste as they contain hazardous substances such as lead, lithium and cadmium. These
substances are highly flammable, and this is why batteries are considered hazardous as
they can cause harm to humans and the environment.
Non-hazardous: Non-hazardous substances include things such as cardboard, plastic and
paper. This is because they pose no threat to human life, wildlife and the environment.
Non-hazardous substances and waste often decompose naturally and are biodegradable.
This is better for the environment as it’s able to dispose of itself naturally.
Waste Disposal Methods
• Waste disposal methods and ways the individuals can get rid of waste. Some include:
• Landfills: This is when waste is transported to designated sites. Some advantages of this waste disposal
methods is that it’s cost effective as it doesn’t cost that much money and it is a simple and easy method for
workers. However, some disadvantages are that it requires large land areas, and this affects the
environment. It also produces methane and leachate if not managed properly.
• Incineration: This is when waste is burned at high temperatures which reduces its temperatures by 90%. Some
advantages of this waste disposal methods is that it reduces volumes of waste significantly and it can also
generate electricity and heat for society. However, some disadvantages are that it releases pollutants such
as dioxins and carbon dioxide if not managed properly and they incineration sites are expensive to build
and operate.
• Composting: This is when waste such as food scraps and garden waste all decompose naturally and this
produces nutrient-rich compost for soil. Some advantaged for composing is that is has a positive effect on
the environment as it is safe, another advantage is that it improves soil health and reduces the need for
chemical fertilisers. However, some disadvantages are that composting requires time and space and is also
limited to biodegradable materials.
How you can help
• Society plays an important role in ensuring waste management and disposal is adequate and being done
correctly. Individuals, communities, organisations and the government can all make a collective effort to
create effective systems to ensure waste management and disposal is done correctly.
• Following the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) is an easy way to help the disposal and management of
waste. Society can adopt sustainable habits such as buying in bulk, avoiding single-use plastic items
and minimising food waste. Society can also repurpose items such as jars, clothes and furniture instead
of discarding them. This allows items to be put to new and handy uses. They can also participate in
recycling programs and purchase products that are made from recycled materials.
• Reducing reliance on landfills and ensuring that non-biodegradable materials are put into landfills. This is
because they are not able to decompose naturally and need to be either reused or incinerated.