Methods of Waste Management

Recovery and Recycling

The process of taking ignored items for a specific use is called as Resource recovery. The materials and resources taken are then processed to extract or recover or convert them to energy which can be used in the form of usable heat, electricity or fuel.

The process of reducing energy usage and consumption of fresh materials by converting waste products into new products is called as Recycling. The idea behind recycling is to reduce the volume of landfills, air & water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and to preserve the natural resource for future use.

Composting

The best way to reduce waste at home is to make use of food waste as compost for the garden rather than discarding it. A tub can be arranged to decompose organic materials such as fruit rind, onion peels and shredded papers. This decomposed material can then be used to add to the soil that is used for gardening purposes. The decomposed material will provide nutrients that aid in the growth of quality and growth of plants. To reduce pests like slugs and snails that affects the plants, crushed up eggshells can be added.

Animal feed

One of the best and effective ways of waste disposal is feeding to pets. Hamsters and rabbits can be best fed with vegetable peels and food scraps. Dogs eat large meat bones, and leftover food can be fed to the livestock animals if it is appropriate to do so. If you are residing in rural areas, pigs can be indiscriminate as they tend to eat whatever is given to them.

Firewood

Next time before refurbishing or replacing furniture at home, just remember that a significant amount of waste disposal might be required. Furniture to be discarded can be cut and used as firewood. If you don’t have a wood burning stove, you’ll be able to find people who still make use of it. The next best option is to offer them on sale if you get a buyer. Burning items for heat or fuel are ideal as long as it does not emit any toxic materials.

Landfills

Landfills are the most common methods of waste disposal used today. At landfills, the method of concentration is to bury the waste in the land. Mostly, landfills can be found in developing countries as it is the most popular form of waste disposal. A rough process is carried out to eliminate the odours and dangers of waste before placing into the ground.

Landfills occupy a lot of space and due to growing scarcity of spaces, this form of waste disposal is becoming less popular these days. Also, the strong presence of methane and other gases in these landfills are giving rise to contamination issues. Not just air pollution, the rising levels of landfills have given rise to water pollution too. Due to its harmful effects on lives of humans and animals, many countries are putting landfills as an option and moving towards alternatives.

Combustion or Incineration

The process of intensely heating waste materials in the presence of oxygen inside an incinerator is called as Incineration. The result of incineration of waste materials is often ash, gas and steam. Incineration helps in decreasing the volume of the waste by 60-70%. Later on, this compressed waste is buried in the earth through landfilling process. As per new research, the gases produced during the incineration process pose danger to the environment than the waste itself. This has created a growing public opposition against the use of incinerators worldwide.

Pyrolysis and Gasification

Pyrolysis and Gasification are lesser known ways of waste management. Although the methodology of pyrolysis is the same as incineration, the only way it differs is that solid waste is burned in the absence of oxygen. In gasification, a small amount of oxygen is supplied to convert waste into combustible and non-combustible gases. The final product is used as heat energy and the remaining waste which take considerably lesser space is taken to the landfills.

Waste Compaction

Plastic cans and bottles are one of the items that occupy a lot of space as waste. These cans and bottles can be compacted into blocks before sending for recycling. By doing this, we can prevent oxidation of metals and reduce the airspace that is needed. Waste compaction helps in making transportation and positioning easy.

Biogas Generation

Waste materials can be converted to biogas, which will facilitate as a fuel or residue for manure. Food items, animal waste, industrial waste from food packaging industries form a part of the Biodegradable waste. These waste can be converted to biogas if they are sent to bio-degradation plants. With the help of bacteria, fungi and other biological means these wastes are put under degradation. Degradation process can take place aerobically or anaerobically and the micro-organisms in these degradation process depend on the organic matter for the source of food. The result of this process is the generation of Biogas that can be used as fuel and the residue that is used as manure.

Vermicomposting

These worms feed on the organic matter and digest them. After the digestion of these organic matters, the by-product of digestion by these worms makes the soil nutrient rich, helping in enhancing the growth of bacteria and fungi.