Humans gradually began to live more affluent lives, and waste in the form of timber, metals, and other intricate resources also began to rise. Any kind of trash produced by human activity is referred to as solid waste. It could take the shape of food waste, household trash, plastic, etc. These solid wastes can seriously affect one’s health and create an unpleasant life if they are not disposed of correctly and safely. They can also act as a breeding platform for animals, snakes, vermin, and insects that spread disease, which raises the possibility of disease transmission. Refer to this article to learn about the many types of solid waste and how they are managed.
Why is SWM important?
Poor waste management is polluting the world’s oceans, clogging sewers and creating flooding, spreading infections, escalating respiratory issues from burning, injuring animals who inadvertently consume rubbish, and hindering economic development, such as through tourism.
In our community, solid waste management (SWM) is crucial since it safeguards our family from the hazardous impacts of solid waste. Most of these waste products may be appropriately disposed of, protecting both the environment and our loved ones.
To achieve environmental best practices, solid waste management must be organised. Environmental planning must take solid waste management and disposal into account as a crucial component of environmental hygiene.
Types of solid waste
Healthcare waste
Hospitals are the source of a type of solid waste referred to as medical trash. In general, hospitals, clinics, research facilities, pharmaceutical firms, and the healthcare industry produce the majority of them. Hospital waste is produced when humans or animals are diagnosed, treated, or immunised, as well as during related research projects, biological production, or biological testing.
This kind of solid waste is highly contagious and can infect people and other animals with various viruses and bacteria. Injectors, human tissue, sutures, cotton swabs, biological fluids, outdated medications, and other items make up the hospital garbage.
Waste from old crude oil
Any oil, whether it has been processed from crude or is recyclable, that has been subjected to use-related physical or chemical contaminants, is referred to as used oil. Commercial and industrial lubricants, such as used motor oil, lubricating oils, refrigeration fuel additives, welding and chopping oils, and insulating dielectric oil, are among the products that are frequently used.
Don’t mix leftover oil with other petroleum fuels or waste materials like gasoline or chemicals; keep it apart from other trash. Make sure you transport the oil to a facility for recycling by placing it in a clean small container with a tight-fitting lid.
Industrial waste
Industrial waste is defined as solid waste produced by manufacturing or economic processes. Fertiliser/agricultural chemicals, micropollutants, electric power production, the production of iron and steel, leather-related products, organic substances, the production of plastics and resins, rubber, pulp, and papers are only a few examples of these processes. Commercial waste is the term used to describe the solid trash produced by establishments like shops, offices, hotels, depots, and non-manufacturing operations at industrial sites.
Municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste (MSW) is produced by homes, workplaces, hotels, retail establishments, educational facilities, and other institutions. Food waste, paper, plastic, rags, metal, and glass make up the majority of the waste, but it is also frequently mixed in with construction and demolition waste, as well as small amounts of hazardous waste like old batteries, light bulbs, and automotive parts as well as expired medications and chemicals.
Due to improper solid waste disposal, particularly by waste management organisations, the collected MSW accumulates and becomes a problem for both the environment and the community.
Hazardous household waste (HHW)
They are the substances that, if they were produced elsewhere other than a home, would be classified as hazardous waste and subject to regulation. If handled incorrectly, this household trash may be combustible, poisonous, corrosive, or reactive.
It is important to handle household hazardous trash safely to prevent environmental harm or personal danger. They should be maintained away from heat sources and out of the reach of youngsters and animals. It is advised that they be kept in their original packaging with all of the labels on and that, if at all feasible, they are disposed of at a household hazardous trash collection service.
Agricultural residues and waste
Natural consequences of increased agricultural production include more cattle waste, crop waste, and agro-industrial byproducts. Agricultural solid wastes are frequently dumped or burned in public areas in developing nations, causing air pollution, soil degradation, toxic gas, smoke, and dust. The residue may also be channelled into water sources, poisoning the water.
Construction and demolition debris
Solid garbage from the destruction of structures is known as construction waste or rubble. Common examples of this trash are scrap wood, drywall, roofing materials, non-asbestos padding, bricks, masonry, glass, and plumbing and electrical equipment. After construction or demolition or before disposal, C/D waste must be further processed—shredded, crushed, ground, pulverised, or in some other way—to the point where it can no longer be identified as C/D trash.
Plastic waste
Food waste
The wet/ dry remains of the food that is not consumed and is disposed off is known as food waste. These are accumulated in the entire cycle from production till distribution and consumption.
Approaches to treating solid waste
Recycling
Recycling is the process of turning garbage into something beneficial. It lessens the quantity of waste that needs to be handled, the expense of doing so, the environmental effects of dumping it in a landfill, and so on. Additionally, it lowers the energy needed to create new goods, aiding in the preservation of natural resources.
Clean landfills
It is the regulated dumping of waste on land in a method that minimises contact between the waste and the environment and concentrates the waste in a specific location. Dumping rubbish in an open area exposes it to the environment, stray animals, and birds.
Incineration
In modern incinerators, waste is burned inside a well-built furnace under highly strict regulatory conditions. When oxygen and combustible trash combine, pollutants, water vapour, and heat are the main byproducts.
Incineration can produce bottom ash, an inert remnant of ash, glass, metal, and other solid materials, while reducing the volume of compacted trash by more than 90%.
Regulated dumps
They resemble sanitary landfills in most respects. These landfills meet most requirements for being sanitary, although they might not meet all of them. Such dumps might have carefully thought-out capacities but lack cell planning. There may be no gas management, minimal record-keeping, or frequent cover, or there may be both.
Know about: National Green Tribunal
FAQs
Solid waste management – What is it?
The term solid waste management refers to the procedure for gathering, handling, and getting rid of solid wastes. Domestic, agricultural, and even industrial wastes might be considered solid waste.
What is composting?
By burying waste in compost pits, waste can be digested and transformed into organic matter through the composting process. The wastes are created by bacterial and fungal activity.
What are the seven solid waste principles?
Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle and Rot are called the 7 R of solid waste management.
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