what is waste segregation and how to segregate waste at home?
Did you know that just properly managing your waste can help in saving the planet?
Yes!
The practice of waste segregation at source can help reduce the waste dumped in landfills. India generates around 62 million tonnes of waste each year. Out of these, 70% is collected by the waste pickers. This sums up to 43 million tonnes of waste in a year. 12 million tonnes of that waste is treated and 31 million tonnes is simply dumped in landfill sites. As a result of improper segregation, it becomes difficult to properly treat the waste.
Today, we will understand the importance of waste segregation, its impacts, and how it can be practiced properly. With this habit, we not only reduce the amount of landfill accumulation but also eradicate the possibilities of air, water, and land pollution.
what is waste segregation?
Waste segregation is the process of separating the waste into various categories. This makes the process of recycling and disposal easier for the authorities. Home waste can be bifurcated into dry waste, wet waste, sanitary waste & electronic waste.
Each category has specific items and requires a different way of treatment. Let us go through each category and its method of disposal.
dry waste
Dry waste includes dry components like paper, glass, plastic, cardboard, rubber, metal, food packaging material, milk cartons, and packets. This dry waste includes both recyclable and non-recyclable items.
wet waste
Wet waste includes all the kitchen waste like vegetable peels, rotten vegetables, eggshells, used tea bags, coffee and tea grounds, leftover foods, and many other kitchen items. Another option to make better use of wet waste is to start home composting 家庭堆肥. With home composting, you can put to use major wet waste and will have to dispose of only a few items.
sanitary waste
As per sanitary waste guidelines, Sanitary waste means wastes comprising of used diapers, sanitary towels or napkins 餐巾纸；纸巾, tampons, condoms, incontinence sheets, and any other similar waste.
As per Rule 7 of guidelines, the best way to dispose of sanitary items is by wrapping them in a leak-proof pouch小袋子, old newspaper, or self-wrapping straps. If a separate bin is provided by the waste collector it should be disposed of in that or else it can be placed in the dry waste bin as well.
electronic waste
Electronic waste includes electronic products that are nearing the end of their useful life and need to be discarded. It includes items like mobile phones, televisions, printers, AC, stereos, computers, cables, circuit boards, and other similar electronic items.
As per the Guidelines on the implementation of E-waste, e-waste should not be thrown in the municipal bins. They should be stored separately and channelized through various collection centre or dealers of authorized producers or dismantlers or recyclers.
That’s all good, but why do I have to bother about it?
Now you might wonder that “I have not seen any harm in my life in absence of waste segregation. How does it even matter?” Well, let me tell you that the impact of not segregating the waste is long-term and has some serious impact not only on the human species but on every living organism.
soil & water contamination
The landfills consisting of all unrecycled materials give rise to toxicity in the soil.由所有不可回收材料组成的垃圾填埋场会对土壤产生毒性。 In a longer time, this toxic substance goes into the soil deeper. It accumulates further to make their way to aquifers. Waters from aquifers are further used for multiple purposes and have the potential to harm animals and humans that directly or indirectly consume such contaminated water.
climate changes
Decomposing of the waste in landfills releases harmful greenhouse gases. 垃圾填埋场的垃圾分解会释放有害的温室气体。These gases rise in the atmosphere and trap heat. This results in unexpected climate change like acid rain, severe hail storms, unexpected rains, drought, and whatnot. 这些气体在大气中上升并捕获热量。这会导致意想不到的气候变化，比如酸雨、严重的冰雹风暴、意想不到的降雨、干旱等等。
air pollution
When materials are burnt in the landfills, it releases dangerous and harmful gases. 当材料在垃圾填埋场燃烧时，会释放出危险和有害气体。These chemicals contribute to damaging the ozone layer and harming the health of people living nearby.
understood the importance! how do i start?
So, if you are new to this, here’s what you can do to start with -
Buy waste segregation bins that always remind you to throw different waste in different bins. Make sure the bins are labeled and have different colors.
Make sure to store sanitary waste in a different paper bag.
The plastic waste from the food items should be cleaned and dried so that they do not contaminate.
Try to develop a habit of composting to make the best use of wet waste.
Be patient with yourself, while you form this regular habit.
If you have been throwing all your trash in a single bag till today, then this might be a new journey for you. Make sure to have separate bins to support your journey of home waste segregation. They act as a reminder every time you forget about it and help you in building the habit easily and quickly. This small act of home waste segregation has immense power to bring down the pollution and harm caused to the planet and every living species.
Home waste segregation is the best solution to reduce air, water, and soil pollution.
家庭垃圾分类是减少空气、水和土壤污染的最佳解决方案。
When will you start your journey?
We all know it’s important to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. But what does that mean? And why is it important to be mindful of our waste?
Reducing waste means using less stuff. It’s about using less paper, plastic, water, and energy. Why? Because using less stuff reduces the amount of pollution that goes into the air, water, and land.
Reusing means using something again. It’s about finding new ways to use old things. Why? Because it takes less energy and resources to reuse something than to make something new.
Recycling means turning something that would be wasted into something that can be used again. Why? Because recycling saves energy and resources, and it helps reduce pollution.
So, why is it important to be mindful of our waste? Because waste reduction, reuse, and recycling are important ways to protect our environment.
In today’s article, let’s explore waste segregation, another essential aspect of being mindful of our waste. Here’s what you need to know:
What Is Waste Segregation?
Waste segregation separates different types of waste so that it can be recycled or disposed of more effectively. By segregating waste, we can reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and recycle more materials.
There are many types of waste, and each type should be segregated into its bin. The most common types of waste are general, recyclable, and hazardous.
General waste is any waste that cannot be recycled. This includes food waste, packaging, and other household items. Recyclable waste includes paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Hazardous waste includes chemicals, batteries, and electronic waste.
Waste segregation is important because it helps to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. It also makes recycling more effective, as different materials can be recycled more easily when separated.
The Benefits of Waste Segregation
Most people are aware of the importance of recycling and the benefits it has for the environment. However, many people are not aware of the benefits of waste segregation. By segregating your waste, you can make a big difference in the amount of waste sent to the landfill.
Waste segregation is the process of separating your waste into different types. This can include separating your organic waste from your recyclable waste. By doing this, you can ensure that your waste is sent to the correct place for disposal.
One of the biggest benefits of waste segregation is that it can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Landfills are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. By segregating your waste, you can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and therefore help reduce your carbon footprint.
Another benefit of waste segregation is that it can help reduce waste disposal costs. By segregating your waste, you can ensure that your waste is sent to the most appropriate disposal facility. This can help to reduce the overall cost of waste disposal.
Waste segregation can also help to improve the efficiency of waste disposal. By segregating your waste, you can ensure that the waste is sent to the correct facility for disposal. This can help to reduce the amount of time and resources that are required for waste disposal.
Overall, waste segregation is a great way to impact the environment positively. By segregating your waste, you can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, reduce the cost of waste disposal, and improve the efficiency of waste disposal.
The Bottom Line
The importance of waste segregation cannot be overstated. By segregating waste, we can ensure that recyclable and non-recyclable materials are disposed of properly. This protects our environment and helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
If you’re looking for an electronic recycling center, we can help you. At Green Atlanta Recycling, we have a convenient and cost-effective e-waste disposal service that will meet your requirements. Our services are tailored to help organizations dispose of their e-waste hassle-free! We provide complete sustainable, cost-effective solutions for recycling and disposal of electronics. Contact us today to learn more and get started!
