BIOLOGY FOM 1 – WASTE DISPOSAL

WASTE DISPOSAL

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Waste refers to materials that are not needed.

Waste disposal is the process by which we get rid of waste materials safely and effectively.

TYPES OF WASTE

Waste can be classified according to its physical state:

1. Solid waste
2. Liquid waste
3. Gaseous waste
4. Sludge waste

Solid waste

Solid waste is hard waste material such as household garbage, mining waste, plastic, paper, glass, scrap metal, used tires, empty cans, and construction debris. These materials are often bulky and require proper handling to avoid environmental pollution.

Liquid waste

Liquid waste includes substances like urine, wastewater from bathrooms, kitchen wastewater after washing utensils, and liquid waste from industries such as chemical effluents. Proper treatment of liquid waste is essential to prevent contamination of water sources.

Gaseous waste

Gaseous waste consists of waste in gaseous form, for example, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide gases released from various materials, as well as lead emissions from petrol in motor vehicles. Gaseous waste poses significant health risks, contributing to both acute and chronic respiratory diseases.

Sludge waste

Sludge waste is thick, soft, and wet waste material, usually viscous in nature. Examples include human waste and industrial sludge containing between 30% to 70% water. Waste from living organisms is biodegradable, meaning it can be decomposed by bacteria and other living organisms, such as food remains, paper, and cotton clothes. In contrast, materials like plastics, glass, and metal are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment for long periods.

Waste Disposal

Waste disposal involves the collection, transportation, processing, reuse, and other activities that help eliminate waste. Proper waste disposal reduces the adverse effects of waste on human health, animal health, and the environment.

Basic Principles of Waste Disposal

The following principles help manage waste more effectively:

1. Reduce the amount of waste produced. For example, instead of buying plastic bags every time you shop, carry a woven basket.
2. Reuse items instead of discarding them. For instance, use an empty margarine container to store sugar.
3. Recycle waste materials by converting them into new products. For example, broken glass can be melted and used to make new glass bottles.

Importance of Waste Disposal

1. Helps maintain a clean and pleasing environment.
2. Reduces unpleasant odors and bad air.
3. Minimizes the spread of infections and diseases.
4. Prevents accidents caused by waste materials.

Methods of Waste Disposal

1. Burning
   Waste such as paper, plastic, carton boxes, empty milk packets, and bread wrappers are burnt to ashes, reducing their volume.
2. Burying
   This method is used to dispose of inorganic refuse such as empty insecticide containers, used batteries, broken bottles, pots, plates, cups, and spoons.

Burying can take the following forms:

• Pit latrine: Sewage in the pit is decomposed by bacteria. When the pit is full, it is covered with soil, and a new latrine is dug.
• Tipping and landfills: Waste collected by trucks is taken to dumping sites. Dumping can be in the form of a dump or landfill. A landfill is a designated place where solid waste is buried in the ground.

3. Animal feeds
   Organic refuse such as vegetable, fruit, potato, and banana peelings, as well as cabbage and spinach leaves, are fed to goats, sheep, cattle, poultry, and pigs. Bones are dried and ground into powder used as dog food.
4. Compost manure
   After separating inorganic refuse from organic waste, a pit about one meter deep is dug where organic refuse is dumped to decompose. To keep away flies and reduce smell and health hazards, a thin layer of wood ashes and soil is used to cover the refuse. The decomposed material is then used by farmers as compost manure to improve soil fertility.
5. Recycling
   Recycling involves converting waste materials into useful products that can be used again. Items such as plastic, glass, paper, metal, and rubber can be recycled. For example, paper can be converted into tissue paper or newsprint; worn-out tires can be retreated and reused; plastic items and old glass bottles can be crushed and remade into new bottles.
6. Incinerating
   Incineration is the process of burning waste until it is completely destroyed. This is usually done in an incinerator and is commonly used for hazardous materials such as clinical waste.
7. Garbage collection
   In urban areas, local authorities manage garbage collection. They provide refuse bins placed at strategic locations in towns. Garbage is then disposed of through landfill or incineration.

Effects of Poor Waste Disposal

1. Creates breeding places for disease-causing organisms. For example, empty containers filled with rainwater become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and cockroaches.
2. Causes air pollution, leading to respiratory diseases.
3. Increases the risk of accidents at home. For example, fresh peelings on the floor can cause slipping and falling, while broken glass can cause cuts.
4. Produces unpleasant odors from decomposing organic waste.
5. Leads to epidemic diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
6. Harms wildlife and domestic animals. For example, cows that eat plastic bags may suffocate or suffer digestive blockages, which can be fatal.
7. Blocks drainage systems, causing flooding.
8. Degrades the natural beauty of the environment.

How to Reduce Waste Production

1. Use cloth instead of paper to wipe surfaces like windows and furniture. This is more economical in the long run and reduces paper waste.
2. Invest in cloth or woven shopping bags to avoid using plastic bags.
3. Buy rechargeable batteries and a battery charger instead of disposable batteries.
4. Collect and reuse plastic containers for food storage.
5. Organize awareness campaigns in your community about proper waste disposal methods.
6. Use plastic products that can be recycled or reused and buy items made from recycled materials.

Symbol of recycled material

Why Waste Production Is a Problem

• People’s bad habits, such as dumping waste on footpaths and roadsides, and excessive packaging like wrapping a small candy in multiple layers of plastic.
• Inadequate disposal facilities make proper waste management difficult.
• Failure by local authorities to enforce penalties on improper waste disposal.
• Poor infrastructure and settlement planning hinder effective waste collection.

Reasons for the Increase in Waste Output Today

• Population growth and expansion of new settlements.
• Increased consumption leading to more disposable packaging and food waste.
• Technological advancements resulting in nuclear and other hazardous wastes.