write an essay on effective solid waste management

Essay on Waste Management for Students and Teacher

500+ essay on waste management.

Essay on Waste Management -Waste management is essential in today’s society. Due to an increase in population, the generation of waste is getting doubled day by day. Moreover, the increase in waste is affecting the lives of many people.

For instance, people living in slums are very close to the waste disposal area. Therefore there are prone to various diseases. Hence, putting their lives in danger. In order to maintain a healthy life, proper hygiene and sanitation are necessary. Consequently, it is only possible with proper waste management .

The Meaning of Waste Management

Waste management is the managing of waste by disposal and recycling of it. Moreover, waste management needs proper techniques keeping in mind the environmental situations. For instance, there are various methods and techniques by which the waste is disposed of. Some of them are Landfills, Recycling , Composting, etc. Furthermore, these methods are much useful in disposing of the waste without causing any harm to the environment.

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Methods for Waste Management

Recycling – Above all the most important method is the recycling of waste. This method does not need any resources. Therefore this is much useful in the management of waste . Recycling is the reusing of things that are scrapped of. Moreover, recycling is further converting waste into useful resources.

Landfills – Landfills is the most common method for waste management. The garbage gets buried in large pits in the ground and then covered by the layer of mud. As a result, the garbage gets decomposed inside the pits over the years. In conclusion, in this method elimination of the odor and area taken by the waste takes place.

Composting – Composting is the converting of organic waste into fertilizers. This method increases the fertility of the soil. As a result, it is helpful in more growth in plants. Furthermore it the useful conversion of waste management that is benefiting the environment.

Advantages of Waste Management

There are various advantages of waste management. Some of them are below:

Decrease bad odor – Waste produces a lot of bad odor which is harmful to the environment. Moreover, Bad odor is responsible for various diseases in children. As a result, it hampers their growth. So waste management eliminates all these problems in an efficient way.

Reduces pollution – Waste is the major cause of environmental degradation. For instance, the waste from industries and households pollute our rivers. Therefore waste management is essential. So that the environment may not get polluted. Furthermore, it increases the hygiene of the city so that people may get a better environment to live in.

Reduces the production of waste -Recycling of the products helps in reducing waste. Furthermore, it generates new products which are again useful. Moreover, recycling reduces the use of new products. So the companies will decrease their production rate.

It generates employment – The waste management system needs workers. These workers can do various jobs from collecting to the disposing of waste. Therefore it creates opportunities for the people that do not have any job. Furthermore, this will help them in contributing to society.

Produces Energy – Many waste products can be further used to produce energy. For instance, some products can generate heat by burning. Furthermore, some organic products are useful in fertilizers. Therefore it can increase the fertility of the soil.

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Essay on Waste Management

• Updated on  
• May 11, 2023

Every year, the amount of waste is doubling because of the increasing population around the world. The 3Rs, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle should be followed to help in waste management. Waste management is the need of the hour and should be followed by individuals globally. This is also a common essay topic in the school curriculum and various academic and competitive exams like IELTS , TOEFL , SAT , UPSC , etc. In this blog, let us explore how to write an essay on Waste Management.

This Blog Includes:

Tips for writing an essay on waste management , what is the meaning of waste management, essay on waste management in 200 words, essay on waste management in 300 words .

To write an impactful and scoring essay, here are some tips on how to manage waste and write a good essay:

• The initial step is to write an introduction or background information about the topic
• You must use a formal style of writing and avoid using slang language.
• To make an essay more impactful, write dates, quotations, and names to provide a better understanding
• You can use jargon wherever it is necessary, as it sometimes makes an essay complicated
• To make an essay more creative, you can also add information in bulleted points wherever possible
• Always remember to add a conclusion where you need to summarise crucial points
• Once you are done, read through the lines and check spelling and grammar mistakes before submission

Waste management is the management of waste by disposal and recycling of it. It requires proper techniques while keeping in mind the environmental situations. For example, there are various methods and techniques through which the waste is disposed of. Some of these are Landfills, Recycling, Composting, etc. These methods are useful in disposing of waste without causing any harm to the environment.

Sample Essays  on Waste Management

To help you write a perfect essay that would help you score well, here are some sample essays to give you an idea about the same.

One of the crucial aspects of today’s society is waste management. Due to a surge in population, the waste is generated in millions of tons day by day and affects the lives of a plethora of people across the globe. Mostly the affected people live in slums that are extremely close to the waste disposal areas; thus, they are highly prone to communicable and non-communicable diseases. These people are deprived of necessities to maintain a healthy life, including sanitation and proper hygiene. 

There are various methods and techniques for disposing of waste including Composting, Landfills, Recycling, and much more. These methods are helpful in disposing of waste without being harmful to the environment. Waste management is helpful in protecting the environment and creating safety of the surrounding environment for humans and animals. The major health issue faced by people across the world is environmental pollution and this issue can only be solved or prevented by proper waste management so that a small amount of waste is there in the environment. One of the prominent and successful waste management processes, recycling enables us not only in saving resources but also in preventing the accumulation of waste. Therefore it is very important to teach and execute waste management.

The basic mantra of waste management is” Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, Repurpose, and Recycle”. Waste management is basically the collection or accumulation of waste and its disposal. This process involves the proper management of waste including recycling waste generated and even generating useful renewable energy from it. One of the most recent initiatives taken by various countries at the local, national and international levels, waste management is a way of taking care of planet earth. This responsible act helps in providing a good and stable environment for the present and future generations. In India, most animals get choked and struggle till death because they consume waste on the streets.

So far many lives are lost, not only animals but also humans due to a lack of proper waste management. There are various methods and techniques for disposing of waste including Composting, Landfills, Recycling, and much more. These methods are helpful in disposing of waste without being harmful to the environment. Waste management is helpful in protecting the environment and creating safety of the surrounding environment for humans and animals. This process of waste management evolved due to industrialization as prior to these inventions simple burying was sufficient for disposing of waste.

One of the crucial things to control waste is creating awareness among people and this can only be achieved only when the governments and stakeholders in various countries take this health issue seriously. To communicate with various communities and reach each end of the country, the message can be communicated through media and related platforms. People also need to participate in waste management procedures by getting self-motivated and taking care of activities of daily living. These steps to create consciousness about waste management are crucial to guarantee the success and welfare of the people and most importantly our planet earth.

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Essay Curve

Essay on Waste Management – Short Essay & Long Essay upto 1500 Words

Essay on Waste Management: Waste management is a critical issue that affects our environment, health, and economy. In this essay, we will explore the importance of proper waste management practices and the impact of improper disposal methods. From recycling and composting to landfill management and incineration, there are various strategies that can be implemented to reduce waste and promote sustainability. By understanding the challenges and opportunities in waste management, we can work towards a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come.

Table of Contents

Waste Management Essay Writing Tips

1. Introduction: Start your essay by introducing the topic of waste management and its importance in today’s world. Explain why proper waste management is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

2. Define waste management: Define what waste management is and why it is necessary. Discuss the different types of waste, such as solid waste, liquid waste, and hazardous waste, and the importance of managing each type properly.

3. Discuss the impact of improper waste management: Explain the negative consequences of improper waste management, such as pollution, environmental degradation, and health hazards. Provide examples of how improper waste disposal can harm ecosystems and human health.

4. Importance of recycling and waste reduction: Highlight the importance of recycling and waste reduction in waste management. Discuss how recycling helps conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Provide examples of successful recycling programs and initiatives.

5. Government regulations and policies: Discuss the role of government regulations and policies in waste management. Explain how laws and regulations help regulate waste disposal practices, promote recycling, and protect the environment. Provide examples of government initiatives aimed at improving waste management practices.

6. Community involvement: Emphasize the importance of community involvement in waste management. Discuss how individuals can contribute to waste reduction and recycling efforts through proper waste disposal, composting, and participating in community clean-up events. Provide examples of successful community-led waste management initiatives.

7. Innovative waste management solutions: Highlight innovative waste management solutions that are being implemented around the world. Discuss technologies such as waste-to-energy plants, composting facilities, and recycling programs that are helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

8. Conclusion: Summarize the key points discussed in the essay and emphasize the importance of proper waste management in creating a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. Encourage readers to take action and make a difference in their own communities by practicing responsible waste management habits.

Essay on Waste Management in 10 Lines – Examples

1. Waste management is the process of collecting, transporting, processing, recycling, and disposing of waste materials. 2. Proper waste management is essential to protect the environment and public health. 3. It helps to reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and minimize the impact of waste on the ecosystem. 4. Waste management practices vary depending on the type of waste and the regulations in place in a particular region. 5. Common methods of waste management include landfilling, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy incineration. 6. Recycling is an important aspect of waste management as it helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserves valuable resources. 7. Composting is another sustainable waste management practice that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health. 8. Waste-to-energy incineration involves burning waste to generate electricity, but it can also have negative environmental impacts if not properly managed. 9. Landfilling is the most common method of waste disposal, but it can lead to environmental pollution and the release of harmful gases. 10. Overall, effective waste management is crucial for sustainable development and the protection of our planet for future generations.

Sample Essay on Waste Management in 100-180 Words

Waste management is the process of collecting, transporting, processing, recycling, and disposing of waste materials in an environmentally friendly manner. It is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

Proper waste management helps in reducing pollution, conserving resources, and minimizing the impact on the environment. It also helps in preventing the spread of diseases and protecting wildlife.

There are various methods of waste management, including recycling, composting, landfilling, and waste-to-energy technologies. Recycling helps in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserving natural resources. Composting is a natural way of recycling organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.

It is crucial for individuals, businesses, and governments to work together to implement effective waste management practices. By reducing, reusing, and recycling waste, we can help in creating a sustainable and cleaner environment for future generations.

Short Essay on Waste Management in 200-500 Words

Waste management is a crucial aspect of environmental sustainability and public health. It involves the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste materials in a safe and efficient manner. Proper waste management is essential to prevent pollution, protect natural resources, and reduce the impact of waste on human health and the environment.

One of the key challenges in waste management is the increasing amount of waste generated by growing populations and urbanization. The World Bank estimates that global waste generation will increase by 70% by 2050, with most of the growth coming from developing countries. This rapid increase in waste generation poses significant challenges for waste management systems, which must be able to handle larger volumes of waste while minimizing environmental and health risks.

Effective waste management requires a comprehensive approach that includes waste reduction, recycling, composting, and proper disposal of waste. Waste reduction is the most effective way to minimize the amount of waste generated in the first place. This can be achieved through initiatives such as promoting reusable products, reducing packaging waste, and encouraging consumers to make more sustainable choices.

Recycling is another important aspect of waste management, as it helps to conserve natural resources, reduce energy consumption, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling involves collecting and processing materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal so that they can be used to make new products. Many countries have implemented recycling programs to encourage citizens to separate their waste and recycle materials that can be reused.

Composting is another effective waste management strategy that involves converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for use in gardening and agriculture. Composting helps to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, where it can produce harmful greenhouse gases such as methane. By composting organic waste, we can reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal and create a valuable resource for soil health and plant growth.

Proper disposal of waste is also essential for effective waste management. Landfills are the most common method of waste disposal, but they can pose risks to human health and the environment if not properly managed. Landfills must be designed and operated in accordance with strict regulations to prevent pollution of air, water, and soil. In addition, hazardous waste such as chemicals, batteries, and electronic waste must be disposed of separately to prevent contamination and harm to human health.

In conclusion, waste management is a critical issue that requires coordinated efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals to address. By reducing waste generation, promoting recycling and composting, and ensuring proper disposal of waste, we can minimize the environmental impact of waste and create a more sustainable future for generations to come. It is essential for all of us to play our part in managing waste responsibly and protecting the health of our planet.

Essay on Waste Management in 1000-1500 Words

Waste management is a crucial aspect of maintaining a clean and healthy environment. It involves the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste materials in a safe and efficient manner. Proper waste management is essential to prevent pollution, protect public health, and conserve natural resources.

There are various types of waste generated by human activities, including solid waste, liquid waste, and hazardous waste. Solid waste, which includes household garbage, industrial waste, and construction debris, is the most common type of waste produced. Liquid waste, such as wastewater and sewage, is generated from domestic and industrial sources. Hazardous waste, which includes toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, and medical waste, poses a serious threat to human health and the environment.

The improper disposal of waste can have serious consequences for the environment and public health. When waste is not managed properly, it can contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to pollution and environmental degradation. In addition, waste can attract pests and vermin, creating breeding grounds for disease-causing organisms. Improper waste disposal can also result in odors, unsightly litter, and other nuisances that can reduce the quality of life in a community.

To address these challenges, waste management practices have evolved over time to minimize the impact of waste on the environment and public health. One of the key principles of waste management is the “3Rs” approach, which stands for reduce, reuse, and recycle. By reducing the amount of waste generated, reusing materials whenever possible, and recycling waste products, we can minimize the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and incinerators.

Another important aspect of waste management is waste segregation. This involves separating different types of waste at the source to facilitate recycling and proper disposal. For example, separating recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal from non-recyclable waste can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. In addition, hazardous waste should be handled separately and disposed of in accordance with strict regulations to prevent harm to human health and the environment.

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainable waste management practices that prioritize environmental protection and resource conservation. This includes the promotion of composting, which involves the decomposition of organic waste to produce nutrient-rich soil for gardening and agriculture. Composting not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills but also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote soil health.

Another emerging trend in waste management is the adoption of circular economy principles, which aim to minimize waste generation and maximize resource efficiency. This involves designing products and packaging with recyclability in mind, promoting the reuse of materials, and creating closed-loop systems that enable the recycling of waste back into new products. By embracing the principles of the circular economy, we can reduce our reliance on finite resources, minimize environmental impact, and create a more sustainable future.

In addition to these proactive measures, waste management also involves the safe and responsible disposal of waste that cannot be recycled or reused. Landfills and incinerators are commonly used for the disposal of non-recyclable waste, but these methods can have negative environmental impacts if not managed properly. Landfills can contaminate soil and water with leachate, a toxic liquid that forms as waste decomposes, while incinerators can release harmful pollutants into the air.

To mitigate these risks, waste management facilities must comply with strict regulations and standards to ensure the safe handling and disposal of waste. This includes the use of advanced technologies and best practices to minimize environmental impact and protect public health. For example, modern landfills are designed with liners and leachate collection systems to prevent contamination of groundwater, while incinerators are equipped with air pollution control devices to reduce emissions of harmful gases and particulate matter.

In conclusion, waste management is a critical component of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. By adopting the principles of the 3Rs, waste segregation, composting, and circular economy, we can minimize waste generation, reduce environmental impact, and conserve natural resources. Through responsible waste management practices, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world for future generations.

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Geography Notes

Essay on solid waste management.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Solid Waste Management’ for class 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Solid Waste Management’ especially written for school and college students.

• Essay on the Introduction to Solid Waste Management
• Essay on Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM)
• Essay on Urban Solid Waste Management
• Essay on the Safe Disposal of Solid Wastes
• Essay on Resource Recovery
• Essay on Waste Handling, Collection and Transport
• Essay on the Sanitary Landfill for Safe Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste
• Essay on Solution to Solid Waste Management

Essay # 1. Introduction to Solid Waste Management:

The Solid Waste Management is defined as ‘the source separation, collection, storage, transport, processing, treatment, recovery managing and monitoring and disposal of solid waste materials’. The management refers to the solid wastes produced by the human activity, and the process is undertaken to reduce their effects on the health of humans and animals, the environment and the aesthetics.

Waste management is a distinct practice from the ‘resource recovery’ which focuses on delaying the consumption rate of the natural resources. All waste materials, whether they are solid, liquid, gaseous or radioactive materials, fall within the purview of waste management.

The waste management practices can differ from place to place:

i. From affluent nations to not-so-affluent countries,

ii. In industrialized world and in places where industrialization is yet to take place,

iii. For urban and rural areas, and

iv. For residential and industrial producers.

Management for non-hazardous waste residential and institutional waste in metropolitan areas is usually undertaken by the local government authorities, whereas management for non-hazardous commercial and industrial waste is usually the responsibility of the generator.

Improperly managed solid wastes pose a variety of risks to the human health and the environment. Uncontrolled dumping and improper waste handling causes a variety of problems, including contaminating water, attracting insects, pests, infectants and rodents, and increasing the flooding risk due to blocked or altered drainage routes such as rivers, streams, canals or gullies. In addition, it may result in hazards like fires or explosions.

Improper waste management also increases the production of toxic and greenhouse gases and their emission in the air and atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. Management of solid waste therefore presents an increasingly acute problem to the entire world with each passing day. Planning for and implementing a comprehensive program for waste collection, transport, and disposal, along with activities to prevent or recycle waste, can eliminate these problems.

In India, it would seem that barring the biomedical wastes and industrial wastes within the industrial estates, there is not much provision in the rules for the planned management of other categories of solid wastes. As a result, it is a common sight of construction wastes dumped indiscriminately; and the domestic waste not being collected and transported from residential localities by the civic authorities on a regular basis.

The result as we see are obvious-urban drains getting clogged by construction and domestic wastes in the monsoon season, thereby inundating the roads and houses, choked sewage lines, creation of breeding sites for flies, mosquitoes, and the accompanying diseases to the human population due to the viruses generated in the decaying wastes.

Essay # 2. Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) :

ISWM is a comprehensive waste prevention, recycling, composting, and disposal program. An effective ISWM system considers how to prevent, recycle and manage solid waste in ways that most effectively protect human health and the environment. ISWM involves evaluating local needs and conditions, and then selecting and combining the most appropriate waste management activities for those conditions. The major ISWM activities are waste prevention, recycling and composting, and combustion and disposal in properly designed, constructed, and managed landfills.

The Waste Hierarchy :

There are a number of concepts about waste management. One such widely employed concept is the Waste Hierarchy’. The waste hierarchy refers to the three R’ namely Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and classifies the waste management strategies according to their desirability in terms of waste minimization. The waste hierarchy remains the cornerstone of effective waste minimization strategies.

Globally, the philosophy of solid waste management hinges on the waste hierarchy, reduce, reuse and recycle. These three processes help to cut down on the amount of waste we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy. A lot of study and research were conducted globally and the study is still on. Let us review these three processes.

Essay # 3. Urban Solid Waste Management :

Addition of numerous kinds of solid wastes in the soil is called landscape pollution or third pollution. In India, urban waste is growing at a phenomenal rate, hi Delhi alone, the current 4,000 tonnes of urban waste produced daily is expected to increase to 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes by 2020 A.D. During the mid-70s, daily per capita waste generation was 150-350 grams for most Indian cities, which increased to 350-530 grams in late 1980s.

Solid waste management involves collection, transportation and disposal of wastes. It requires mechanical, operational and management skills, all of which are not available in India. A recent study showed that the Ahmedabad city spends about 85% of its budget on solid waste management on collection, 13 to 14% on transportation and only one per cent on its disposal.

Almost 60 per cent of a typical sample of household garbage of a city contains organic and biodegradable matter while it contains 35% recyclable matter and 5% of miscellaneous matter.

Growing heaps of stinking garbage in Indian cities are a sufficient pointer that urban solid waste management in the country is an utter failure. It is mainly due to absence of low-cost waste disposal technology.

Essay # 4. Safe Disposal of Solid Wastes:

1. Segregation:

It involves separation of different types of waste materials e.g. biodegradable (e.g. refuge) from non-biodegradable wastes (e.g. scrap metal, glass, plastic, etc.) for their separating reprocessing for reuse.

Segregation can be done in two ways:

(i) On-Site Segregation:

At the point of generation of wastes with the cooperation of the waste producer (e.g., houses, industries, commercial establishments, biomedical wastes, etc.).

In compliance of the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, all the wastes generated at source are required to be segregated in two different bins w.e.f. 1st January, 2004. In view of this, it is enjoined upon the general public, owners of premises, offices, houses, bungalows and other residential and commercial establishments that they should keep two grabage bins (one of green-colour and the other of blue colour) in their premises for collection of garbage at source. The Green coloured bin/receptacle will be for biodegradable waste and the other Blue-coloured bin/receptacle will be for non-biodegradable waste.

The wastes at source segregated in this manner are subsequently deposited daily at the nearest garbage cycling station which has the facilities for their further processing.

(ii) Central Processing Facility:

It involves separation of different kinds of wastes by screening, air classifying and magnetic separators.

Biodegradable solid wastes are disposed by composting while non-biodegradable solid wastes are disposed by incineration, land filling, pyrolysis, etc.

2. Dumping:

In this, solid wastes are dumped into low lying areas and is also called land filling. The refuge is dumped in layers of about 1.5 metre and each layer is covered by good earth of about 20 cm thickness. Each layer is compacted by trucks to allow its settlement and then insecticides like DDT are sprayed on the top of each layer to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and flies.

The refuge gets stabilised generally within a period of 2 to 12 months during which organic matter of the refuge undergoes decomposition under anaerobic conditions into stable compounds. Such landfills can be used for developing parks or other recreational sites. So dumping is simple and economical method to manage the urban solid wastes and reclaim the low-lying areas for better use.

3. Composting:

In this, the putrescible organic matter of solid wastes is digested anaerobically or aerobically by microbial action and converted into humus and stable mineral compounds. Although aerobic composting is more attractive but it has drawback that most of the commercial plants have unacceptable odour. But is of much use that if its products are used as manures in soil then crop yield is improved and there is reduced need of fertilizers and pesticides.

Anaerobic composting is more advantageous due to:

i. No need of aeration.

ii. Produces biogas (55% methane + 45% CO 2 ) which can be used for heating or electric power generation.

Wastes also become free from most of the pathogenic organisms.

This method is best suited to Indian conditions since it solves three problems simultaneously:

(i) Disposal of solid wastes.

(ii) Disposal of night soil in the absence of proper sanitation.

(iii) Production of valuable manure for crops.

Composting can be done by one of the following three methods:

(i) Trench composting.

(ii) Open window composting.

(iii) Mechanical composting.

4. Incineration:

It involves the aerobic burning of the combustible constituents of solid wastes like garbage, rubbish and dead animals in the properly-constructed hearth of furnaces at high temperature (> 670°C). It reduces the volume of waste by 20 to 30% of original volume and makes the product stable. The final products are ashes and clinkers out of which clinkers can be used as aggregate for low grade concrete.

It can also be used to generate steam power (when burnt at about 1000°C temperature). Thermal incinerator or after burner is the instrument used for thermal combustion of low amount of combustible gaseous pollutants. This is also the ideal method for medical waste management as eliminates the infectious organisms.

But incineration technique also has certain drawbacks:

i. Incinerator ash is toxic and contains toxic chemicals like Dioxin (a chlorinated compound and adversely affecting humans and animals even in low doses) and mercury (damages the kidneys and brain).

ii. Its leachate can pollute ground water.

5. Pyrolysis:

It involves anaerobic destructive distillation of the combustible constituents of the solid wastes at high temperature (650° to 1000°C) in a pyrolysis chamber so as to recover the chemical constituents and chemical energy of organic wastes. It is an endothermic process.

Essay # 5. Resource Recovery :

‘Resource Recovery’ practice is a kind of recycling process that refers to the collection and reuse of waste materials such as cartons, containers and a host of other things in such a way that they can be directly sorted out at the source for effective recycling without additional cost for reuse. The materials from which the items are made can be reprocessed into new products.

Material for recycling may be collected separately from general waste using dedicated bins and collection vehicles, or sorted directly from mixed waste streams. Known also as kerb-side recycling, it requires the waste producer to separate and sort out the waste products into different wheeled bins and prior to the waste collection.

Resource recovery uses the life cycle analysis (LCA) attempts to offer alternatives to the waste management. A number of studies have indicated that for the management of municipal solid waste which is a highly mixed waste, source separation and collection, followed by reuse and recycling of the non-organic fraction, and subsequently energy and compost/fertilizer production from the organic material by anaerobic digestion as a preferred solution.

The citizens may take cue from the artistic monuments of Chandigarh which are built using broken ceramics, glasses and metallic pieces, which are normally disposed of as waste.

It needs to be acknowledged that recycling too needs to stop at some point of time. We can close the recycling circle by buying things made from and packaged in the recycled materials. Eventually, the recycled materials need to be disposed of as non- recyclable wastes, and at that stage we need to look for ways for their safe and ultimate disposal, without causing environmental degradation which is the ultimate objective of waste management. At this stage, we need to look for safe methods of waste disposal.

Biological Reprocessing :

Recoverable materials that are organic in nature, such as plant material, food scraps and paper products, can be recovered through composting and digestion processes to decompose the organic matter. The intention of biological processing in waste management is to control and accelerate the natural process of decomposition of organic matter.

The resulting organic material is then recycled as mulch or compost for agricultural or landscaping purposes. Waste gas from the process (such as methane) can be captured and used for generating electricity and heat (CHP/cogeneration) maximising efficiencies. Proper treatment of kitchen and horticulture wastes not only ensures a better living environment but it also provides us with compost, a useful commodity.

Energy Recovery :

The energy contents of the solid waste materials can be harnessed by using the wastes as direct combustion fuel, or by processing them to generate another fuel. Thermal treatments vary since using the waste as a fuel source for cooking or heating, and the use of the gas as fuel for boilers to generate steam and electricity in a turbine.

Pyrolysis is a thermal treatment where waste materials are heated to high temperatures. In this process, thermal decomposition of wastes takes place in controlled amounts of oxygen to produce valuable petrochemicals. The residue is a small quantity of inert char. Pyrolysis is carried out in a sealed vessel under high pressure.

Pyrolysis of solid waste converts the solid waste material into solid, liquid and gas products. The liquid and gas can be burnt to produce energy or refined into other chemical products. The solid residue namely the char can be further refined into products such as activated carbon.

Gasification and advanced plasma arc gasification (APAG) are employed to transform organic materials directly into a synthetic gas composed of carbon-monoxide and hydrogen. The gas is then burnt to produce steam and electricity.

In India, energy recovery techniques such as anaerobic digestion, thermal treatment, pyrolysis and gasification techniques are yet to be employed in any location in a big way. The gas recovered from solid wastes comes absolutely free, pre-processed and without further possible need of investment in terms of money. Only one-time plants need to be erected in places where energy recovery process is proposed.

In energy- starved country like India, energy recovery from solid waste that is generated in millions of tonnes daily offers an excellent source for generating alternative energy. What is required is conviction on the part of those in the governments at the helm of affairs in decision making, a one-time large investment in installing the energy recovery plants and subsequent maintenance charges.

Essay # 6. Waste Handling, Collection and Transport :

Waste collection and transport methods vary widely from place to place. Domestic waste collection services are often provided by local government authorities, or by private companies in the industry. Some areas do not have a formal waste-collection system at all. In many parts of Europe and a few other places, the citizens use a proprietary collection system, which transports the waste through underground conduits using vacuum.

In the Canadian urban centres curb-side or kerb-side collection is the common method of disposal, whereby the city administration collects the waste and/or recyclables and/or organics on a scheduled manner. The rural population in these countries dispose of their waste by transporting it to transfer stations, from where the waste is then transported to regional landfills.

In a few countries, the civic authorities of the government collect charges from the households and industries for the volume of rubbish they produce. In some other countries, the waste is collected by the city administration if waste is disposed in the bags issued by the government. This measure has significantly reduced the amount of waste produced by the population and increased the volume of recycling.

The first step in the waste collection process is to sort the waste by type, and define what will and won’t be disposed of. Once the waste has been sorted, usually by the residents putting it in the proper bin or container, the next step in collection can take place. The first step in the collection process is to sort the waste by type and define what will and won’t be disposed of. Once the waste has been sorted, usually by the residents putting it in the proper bin or container, the next step in collection can take place.

There are a variety of pickup options. Trash can be placed on the curb near a home, and garbage collectors can go house to house and take it. There are also community trash bins in some apartment complexes, as well as county recycling containers for glass, plastic, paper and organic waste. Some sites may collect hazardous waste materials like syringes, which can’t be left in regular trash sites. The waste is taken from all of these sites on a schedule and then transported to a final destination.

Transport and disposal of solid wastes employing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and tracking by Global Positioning System (GPS) is nowadays employed to collect data on waste volume and presentation rate, and transportation of wastes by the pick-ups. Advantages of GPS tracking of the wastes is manifold considering the requisitioning of pick-ups to the places where collection of waste is to be made on a need basis.

In Israel a private company has designed a system which takes the collected trash from trucks and separates organic and inorganic materials by gravitational settling, screening and hydro-mechanical shredding. The system sorts out huge volumes of solid waste, salvaging recyclables and transforming the degradable wastes into biogas and nutrient-rich compost. This system is employed also in Australia, Greece, Mexico, UK and a few parts of USA. This system processes the solid wastes in the range of 150 tons per day.

Whereas the transport of waste within the countries is under national regulation of a particular country, the trans-boundary (across the nations) transport of waste is subject to international treaties. In this respect, the major concern too many countries is the hazardous waste. Under the Basel Convention, which is agreed upon by 172 countries, the movement of hazardous wastes from the ‘developed’ to ‘less developed’ countries is prohibited.

Nuclear waste, although considered hazardous, does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Basel Convention. The material containing the unusable radioactive by-products of the scientific, military, and industrial applications of nuclear energy poses a serious health hazard, disposing of such material is an important issue too.

Worldwide, a major section of environmentalists protest that the solid waste management by both landfilling and incineration is controversial. Incineration, in particular, is considered harmful to the environment, as it adds a lot of emission to the atmosphere accelerating the enhanced greenhouse of global warming effects, and aiding them to escalate even further.

Though there is an element of substance in such protests, controversies and demand for discontinuance of such practices, it should be simultaneously borne in mind that till safer alternative methods are discovered and put in place, the current solid management techniques need to be adopted for a comparatively cleaner life, since it would seem that there are no better alternative techniques to these practices in current times.

Solid wastes will always be generated and perhaps accumulated till they disappear, as long as the human species subsist. And, as long as human civilization is present, solid waste management will continue to be a matter of concern to be dealt with. It is just a matter of our ingenuity to innovate proper waste disposal with care that matters. It is further our own initiatives and resolve to find scientific methods with a human touch to get rid of the wastes that we generate that also matter while finding solution to this undying problem.

We need to conduct ourselves as ethical persons and ensure that the Earth’s resources are conserved in such a way that least or no waste is produced from these resources. With concern and love for our Planet Earth and its environment, and a starting action as awakening of responsibility, the end result is bound to be a zero-waste society.

Essay # 7. Sanitary Landfill for Safe Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste:

Sanitary landfill is a method of controlled disposal of municipal solid waste on land as landfills. The method was introduced in England in 1912. These landfills are isolated from the environment until they are safe to humans and animals. Sanitary landfills are known also as engineered landfills because they are engineered means of disposing of the waste.

In sanitary landfills, the concept of dumping and burying into the ground are followed, but all factors pertaining to environmental problems are addressed carefully, such that it is even possible to live near or on the landfill sites, and useful by-products such as methane can be converted to electricity for use by the inhabitants.

Engineered landfill operation has to be integrated with the collection, transportation and management of the solid wastes from individual households up to the landfill itself. The concept of waste management education is integrated to initiate the waste separation at household level itself and recycling becomes an industry with the participation of all at grass-root level to industry.

Types of Sanitary Landfills :

There are two types of sanitary landfills:

(i) Municipal solid wastes landfill, and

(ii) Municipal toxic wastes landfill.

In the first type, the household, commercial, institutional and industrial solid wastes are disposed. In the second type, wastes derived from oils, medical, industrial and commercial products, which if directly dumped into the environment will cause instant pollution and degradation of the ecosystem, are disposed.

The design and collection methods vary between the two types. It is important to distinguish the waste types to be disposed of, so that right type of engineered landfill may be designed. It is possible to combine these two types into one common engineered landfill, if the quantity of one type of waste is small compared to the other, to save the space and operational and maintenance.

Sanitary landfill is considered safe when it has completely degraded biologically, chemically and physically. Large landfills require more investment to improve standards than smaller sites. The unit cost of these landfills, measured per tonne of waste landfilled or per head of population served, decreases with increasing size of the site. There are financial and other benefits to sites with long operating lifetimes, say ten years or more. Large regional landfill sites serving two or more cities could be economically beneficial, if waste transport costs are not too high.

In a typical sanitary landfill the waste is spread in layers on land. The objective is to spread the layers and then compact them tightly, to reduce the volume of the waste. The waste is then covered by soil. Four basic conditions should be met by any site design and operation before it can be regarded as a sanitary landfill.

They are briefly discussed as follows:

(i) Total or Partial Hydro-Geological Isolation:

If a site cannot be located on land which needs leachate security, additional lining materials should be provided to the site to reduce leakage from the base of the site (leachate) and help reduce contamination of groundwater by percolation and the surrounding soil. If a soil or synthetic liner is provided without a system of leachate collection, all leachate will eventually reach the surrounding environment. Leachate collection and treatment must be stressed as a basic requirement in sanitary landfilling.

(ii) Formal Engineering Preparations:

Design of the landfill should be prepared after geological and hydro-geological investigations. A waste disposal plan and a final restoration plan should also be developed.

(iii) Permanent Control:

Trained staff should be employed at the landfill to supervise site preparation and construction, the depositing of waste and the regular operation and maintenance.

(iv) Planned Waste Emplacement and Covering:

Waste should be spread in layers and compacted. A small working area which is covered daily helps make the waste less accessible to pests and vermin.

There are two main methods used in sanitary landfills, the trench method and the area method.

Both of them are developed in similar manner excepting marginal difference. The waste is laid and spread in thin layers of about 1 metre, and instantly compacted by running heavy machinery such as bulldozers or rollers over it. Several layers are laid and compacted on top of each other to form a 3-metre thick refuse cell. (The basic element of a sanitary landfill is the refuse cell. This is a confined portion of the site in which refuse is spread and compacted in layer over layer).

At the end of each day the compacted refuse cell is covered with a layer of compacted soil to prevent odours and windblown debris. All modern landfill sites are carefully selected and prepared, as for example sealed with impermeable synthetic bottom liners, to prevent pollution of groundwater or other environmental problems.

When the landfill is completed, it is capped with a layer of clay or a synthetic liner in order to prevent water from entering. A final topsoil cover is placed, compacted and graded, and various forms of vegetation may be planted in order to reclaim otherwise useless land, like fill declivities (downward slopes) to levels convenient for building parks, golf courses or other suitable public projects.

Problems faced in open dumping (like insects, rodents, safety hazards and fire hazards) can be avoided with sanitary landfilling. A landfill should not be located in areas with high groundwater tables. Leachate migration control standards must be followed in the design, construction and operation of landfills during the use of the facility and during the post-closure period.

Most of the waste in a sanitary landfill decomposes through biological and chemical processes that produce solid, liquid, and gaseous products. Food wastes degrade rapidly, whereas plastics, glass and construction wastes do not. The most common types of gas produced by the decomposition of the wastes are methane and carbon dioxide.

Methane is produced by anaerobic decomposition of landfill materials, and is hazardous because it is explosive. Depending on the landfill composition, gases can be recovered and utilized in the generation of power or heat. After a sanitary landfill has reached its capacity, it is closed for waste deposition and covered.

In some cases it can be used as pasture, as cropland or for recreational purposes. Maintenance of the closed landfill is important to avoid soil erosion and excess runoff into desirable areas. Sanitary landfills are safe when they are completely degraded biologically, chemically, and physically.

Essay # 8. Solution to Solid Waste Management:

1. Reduce :

The ideal way to manage waste is to not produce it.

This can be achieved by shopping judiciously under a few principles as follows:

i. Products can be bought in bulk. Larger the products, they are more economical and they use less packaging materials that need disposal.

ii. Over-packed materials or those packed with several layers such as foil, polystyrene, thermoplastics, thermocol, paper and plastic. They are not only difficult to recycle, but we pay for the packaging materials too.

iii. Disposable materials such as paper plates, cups, tissues, razors and so on have to be avoided or minimized. Throwaways contribute to the wastes, and cost more because they need replacement. We can use cloth napkins and dish cloth instead of paper napkins.

iv. Only durable goods need to be bought, because they last longer and economical in long run.

v. In office, we have to print or copy on both sides of the paper since it reduces the number of papers used. We have to use electronic mail for correspondence and main notice board or routine information.

vi. As a society, we should avoid generating waste by buying items that have little or no packaging, rechargeable batteries and reusable materials, we have to lessen the detrimental effects on the environment by conserving water, fuel and energy.

vii. The electricity consumers have to unplug electronic devices when not in use, and use energy-efficient appliances.

viii. Pool up vehicular use by individuals or use public transportation; these measures along with regular servicing of the cars and maintaining correct tyre- pressure ensure less fuel consumption.

ix. Turn off the water tap while brushing the teeth and shaving; put off air- conditioners, fans and lights when not in use. These measures help reduction in pollution and warming effects on the environment.

Reuse in the context of waste management means that an item is used several times before consigning it to the trash. The fundamental aim of reuse is to put to use the items we normally throw away after use once, as for example, using lunch bags multiple times instead of throwing them away after just one use.

There are a lot of advantages in terms of economic and environmental sense if we reuse the products which are otherwise known as solid wastes or garbage. Further, often it adds to the creativity too to the individual in the course of reuse of the wastes.

Some of the simple measures for reuse are as follows:

i. Reuse the products for the same purpose. Save paper/plastic bags, and repair broken appliances, furniture, electronic goods and so on.

ii. Reuse products in different ways. For example, paper coffee cup to pack a lunch, and plastic microwave dinner trays as dishes.

iii. Used clothes, appliances, toys and furniture can be sold for reuse or donated.

iv. Ceramic mug can be used instead of paper cups, cloth bags instead of plastic bags; use own cloth bags for shopping.

v. It should be ensured that the article that is put to reuse has not undergone decomposition or degradation in such a way that it has become toxic or it has started releasing chemicals or it has started hosting bacteria or other micro­organisms.

3. Recycle :

Recycling is a set of steps taken by appropriate processes by a manufacturer in respect of the production of usable new products from unserviceable/used materials. When the things are recycled, items such as paper, plastic, glass and metal are taken to processing centres. At these facilities, the recyclable products are cleaned and subjected to processes that turn them back into useable goods.

It would be appropriate for the local administration or non-governmental agencies to organize pickup of recyclable goods such as papers, cloth, ceramics, plastics, glass and metals from residential/industrial areas for industrial recycling to make them as recycled usable goods.

The common consumer products that are recycled are:

i. Aluminium metal from beverage cans, copper from used wire, quality steel from food and aerosol cans, and steel from scraps, construction wastes, furnishings and equipment.

ii. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, glass bottles, buckets and jars, paperboard cartons, newspapers, magazines and light paper, and corrugated and fibreboard boxes, and jute articles are also frequently recycled.

iii. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene and polystyrene are also recyclable, since these are composed of a single type of material, making them relatively easy to recycle into new products.

The recycling of complex products such as computers, cellular phones and electronic equipment is more difficult, due to the additional dismantling and separation of parts having toxic chemicals are required for them. The printed circuit boards (PCBs) in cell phones contain a host of toxins such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.

Brominated flame retardants are present in the plastic housing of the cellular phone, printed wiring board, and cables. The lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries contain heavy metals such as cobalt, zinc, and copper. The other electronic products and therefore the e-wastes contain bromine, chlorine and phthalates which are hazardous.

There are a few simple steps that can be taken by the citizens as discussed below to facilitate recycling processes:

i. Buy the products made from recycled materials. The recycling symbol means either the product is made of recycled material, or the product can be recycled.

ii. Look for waste collection points and/or pickup services to see what they accept/buy, and collect, sort and accumulate those materials.

iii. Consider purchasing recycled materials at work when purchasing material for office supply, materials and equipment.

iv. Ask for such products in which packaging material is minimally used; that helps cut down on waste, such as recycled products and products that are not over packaged.

v. Use recycled paper for letterhead, copier paper, greeting and invitation cards, envelopes, bill-papers, notices and newsletters.

vi. We need to continuously look for new ways to recycle the materials that are currently non-recyclable items.

Recycling of solid wastes is a method that many countries are resorting to in current times. It not only facilitates the waste disposal, but also conserves energy, minimizes pollution, and preserves natural resources such as ores.

For example, manufacture of cans from recovered aluminium requires 10% of the energy needed to make them from original ore. Recycling ensures that the ore is saved, and the pollution resulting from mining and processing are avoided. Making steel bars from scrap requires 74% less energy and 50% less water, while reducing air-polluting emissions by 85% and mining wastes by 95%.

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Short Essay on Waste Management [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

Waste management is a matter of concern for our world in the current situation. Poor waste management eventually results in environmental pollution. Due to this extreme concern, many institutions use this context as an essay topic to evaluate their students’ overall comprehension skills. In this lesson, you will learn how to write an essay on waste management. So, let’s get started. 

Short Essay on Waste Management in 100 Words

Waste management is one of the significant processes on Earth that leads to sustainable development and habitat. It happens through the reuse and recycling of waste products in our houses, factories, industries etc. At present, the world is facing a severe threat of pollution due to poor waste management.

It is the ultimate need of the hour that wastes must be reduced and reused properly. We on a daily basis produce tons of waste materials that are harmful both for us and the environment. Thus several measures are undertaken through which the wastes accumulated are hence segregated and utilised for better purposes.

Short Essay on Waste Management in 200 Words

Waste management is the call of duty for every 21st-century person on Earth. Wastes are the degradable remnants of our daily activities. It involves household chores, as well as factory dispositions. We are clearly aware of the volume of waste materials that are regularly generated and how carelessly they are disposed of.

Such attention to fewer actions of discarding wastes results in hazards to social and public health including plants and animals. But today waste management is a matter of concern with the increasing population on Earth. The urban expansions, the industrial growth, and the changes in our lifestyle and consumption are also a reason behind this. Waste management takes place through innovations in science and technology and is transformed into a new object of reuse and renovations.

Wastes produced on a daily basis are of several types. It can be solid such as household, laboratory, and industries’ wastes; liquid wastes such as chemicals, sewage, and pipes; and also gaseous wastes like smoke from chimneys of industries, tobacco smells, burning petroleum goods, vehicle emissions, forest fire, and others. Generally, wastes are classified also as biodegradable such as the waste products that come from plants and animals, and non-biodegradable like metals and plastics waste products that cannot be decomposed. All these are rectified through waste management procedures.

Short Essay on Waste Management in 400 Words

Our lives consist of changes and the occurrence of some inevitable situations. Waste production is one such circumstance that cannot be avoided, yet is often considered as the most hazardous effect on the living world and the atmosphere. Waste is something that creates no value and only depreciates our well-being. The basic reason behind the production of waste is the growing civilisation.

The ever-increasing population demands necessities and luxuries for daily use, which in turn generates a huge amount of waste materials. The household produces wastes, industries, factories, vehicles, and laboratories are chief sources of waste production. All these only ends up polluting the environment. The population along with developed lifestyle are again key reasons for waste generation on Earth. Thus urban areas produce a greater amount than rural places due to lesser modernisation of the surroundings and lifestyle.

Waste is unarguably a disaster to humankind and so it needs immediate attention and a proper management system. Ill disposal of wastes results in more than half of the pollution in a heavily populated country like India. In India, corporations and municipal bodies are responsible for maintaining this cleanliness and preserving public health. Generally, wastes are broadly categorised as solids, liquids, and gases. But for a greater facility, it is chiefly divided into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

Biodegradable wastes include kitchen wastes, sanitary wastes, green wastes, and wastes from shops. But the more harmful form, the non-biodegradable wastes contain plastics, papers, all packaging and containers, metals, glass, rubber that cannot be decomposed naturally. These wastes stay in nature and prolong the harm to not only terrestrial creatures but also aquatic beings.

Hence management of the filth is very important. The general disposal methods may often prove unsustainable and serious. Thus waste management is now the call of the day. It is not just a local phenomenon, but also the attention of the states countries and the globe. This management involves at the base the segregation of the wastes and likewise disposing of it.

The principal method involved here is the method of ‘’ reuse, reduce, and recycle’’. Generally, the domestic wastes can be utilised as vermicompost and fertilizers for plants. But for the non-biodegradable wastes, the process involves a higher system. The waste dealers collect them and deposit them into factories that crush the wastes into pulps and recycles them into different, helpful materials. At present, the globe has engaged in not only recycling but also refusing to use materials that create a huge amount of wastes. Thus waste management is the solution of modern society and way to development.

In this session above, I have tried to discuss all possible aspects of the topic within a recommended word limit. Hopefully, after going through this lesson, you have understood the overall approach to write these essays. If you have any doubt regarding the session, post them in the comment section below. To read more such essays on important topics, keep browsing our website.

To get the latest updates on our upcoming sessions, kindly join our Telegram channel. Thank you. All the best for your exam. 

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• Introduction

Early waste disposal

Developments in waste management, composition and properties, generation and storage.

• Collecting and transporting
• Transfer stations
• Furnace operation
• Energy recovery
• Sorting and shredding
• Digesting and processing
• Constructing the landfill
• Controlling by-products
• Importance in waste management

• What role can living organisms play in environmental engineering?

solid-waste management

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• Table Of Contents

solid-waste management , the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful. Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create unsanitary conditions, and these conditions in turn can lead to pollution of the environment and to outbreaks of vector-borne disease—that is, diseases spread by rodents and insects . The tasks of solid-waste management present complex technical challenges. They also pose a wide variety of administrative, economic, and social problems that must be managed and solved.

Historical background

In ancient cities, wastes were thrown onto unpaved streets and roadways, where they were left to accumulate. It was not until 320 bce in Athens that the first known law forbidding this practice was established. At that time a system for waste removal began to evolve in Greece and in the Greek-dominated cities of the eastern Mediterranean. In ancient Rome , property owners were responsible for cleaning the streets fronting their property. But organized waste collection was associated only with state-sponsored events such as parades. Disposal methods were very crude, involving open pits located just outside the city walls. As populations increased, efforts were made to transport waste farther out from the cities.

After the fall of Rome, waste collection and municipal sanitation began a decline that lasted throughout the Middle Ages . Near the end of the 14th century, scavengers were given the task of carting waste to dumps outside city walls. But this was not the case in smaller towns, where most people still threw waste into the streets. It was not until 1714 that every city in England was required to have an official scavenger. Toward the end of the 18th century in America, municipal collection of garbage was begun in Boston , New York City , and Philadelphia . Waste disposal methods were still very crude, however. Garbage collected in Philadelphia, for example, was simply dumped into the Delaware River downstream from the city.

A technological approach to solid-waste management began to develop in the latter part of the 19th century. Watertight garbage cans were first introduced in the United States, and sturdier vehicles were used to collect and transport wastes. A significant development in solid-waste treatment and disposal practices was marked by the construction of the first refuse incinerator in England in 1874. By the beginning of the 20th century, 15 percent of major American cities were incinerating solid waste. Even then, however, most of the largest cities were still using primitive disposal methods such as open dumping on land or in water.

Technological advances continued during the first half of the 20th century, including the development of garbage grinders, compaction trucks, and pneumatic collection systems. By mid-century, however, it had become evident that open dumping and improper incineration of solid waste were causing problems of pollution and jeopardizing public health . As a result, sanitary landfills were developed to replace the practice of open dumping and to reduce the reliance on waste incineration. In many countries waste was divided into two categories, hazardous and nonhazardous, and separate regulations were developed for their disposal. Landfills were designed and operated in a manner that minimized risks to public health and the environment. New refuse incinerators were designed to recover heat energy from the waste and were provided with extensive air pollution control devices to satisfy stringent standards of air quality. Modern solid-waste management plants in most developed countries now emphasize the practice of recycling and waste reduction at the source rather than incineration and land disposal.

Solid-waste characteristics

The sources of solid waste include residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial activities. Certain types of wastes that cause immediate danger to exposed individuals or environments are classified as hazardous; these are discussed in the article hazardous-waste management . All nonhazardous solid waste from a community that requires collection and transport to a processing or disposal site is called refuse or municipal solid waste (MSW). Refuse includes garbage and rubbish. Garbage is mostly decomposable food waste; rubbish is mostly dry material such as glass, paper, cloth, or wood. Garbage is highly putrescible or decomposable, whereas rubbish is not. Trash is rubbish that includes bulky items such as old refrigerators, couches, or large tree stumps. Trash requires special collection and handling.

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste (or debris) is a significant component of total solid waste quantities (about 20 percent in the United States), although it is not considered to be part of the MSW stream. However, because C&D waste is inert and nonhazardous, it is usually disposed of in municipal sanitary landfills.

Another type of solid waste, perhaps the fastest-growing component in many developed countries, is electronic waste , or e-waste, which includes discarded computer equipment, televisions , telephones , and a variety of other electronic devices. Concern over this type of waste is escalating. Lead , mercury , and cadmium are among the materials of concern in electronic devices, and governmental policies may be required to regulate their recycling and disposal.

Solid-waste characteristics vary considerably among communities and nations. American refuse is usually lighter, for example, than European or Japanese refuse. In the United States paper and paperboard products make up close to 40 percent of the total weight of MSW; food waste accounts for less than 10 percent. The rest is a mixture of yard trimmings, wood, glass, metal, plastic, leather, cloth, and other miscellaneous materials. In a loose or uncompacted state, MSW of this type weighs approximately 120 kg per cubic metre (200 pounds per cubic yard). These figures vary with geographic location, economic conditions, season of the year, and many other factors. Waste characteristics from each community must be studied carefully before any treatment or disposal facility is designed and built.

Rates of solid-waste generation vary widely. In the United States , for example, municipal refuse is generated at an average rate of approximately 2 kg (4.5 pounds) per person per day. Japan generates roughly half this amount, yet in Canada the rate is 2.7 kg (almost 6 pounds) per person per day. In some developing countries the average rate can be lower than 0.5 kg (1 pound) per person per day. These data include refuse from commercial, institutional, and industrial as well as residential sources. The actual rates of refuse generation must be carefully determined when a community plans a solid-waste management project.

Most communities require household refuse to be stored in durable, easily cleaned containers with tight-fitting covers in order to minimize rodent or insect infestation and offensive odours. Galvanized metal or plastic containers of about 115-litre (30-gallon) capacity are commonly used, although some communities employ larger containers that can be mechanically lifted and emptied into collection trucks. Plastic bags are frequently used as liners or as disposable containers for curbside collection. Where large quantities of refuse are generated—such as at shopping centres, hotels, or apartment buildings—dumpsters may be used for temporary storage until the waste is collected. Some office and commercial buildings use on-site compactors to reduce the waste volume.

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115 Waste Management Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Waste management is a crucial issue in today's world, as the amount of waste produced continues to grow at an alarming rate. From household trash to industrial waste, finding sustainable solutions for managing and reducing waste is essential for protecting the environment and public health.

If you're tasked with writing an essay on waste management, you may be struggling to come up with a topic that is both interesting and relevant. To help you get started, here are 115 waste management essay topic ideas and examples that you can use as inspiration for your own writing:

• The importance of proper waste management in protecting the environment
• The impact of waste management on public health
• Strategies for reducing household waste
• The role of recycling in waste management
• The benefits of composting for waste reduction
• The challenges of managing electronic waste
• The environmental impact of plastic waste
• The economic benefits of sustainable waste management practices
• The ethical implications of waste disposal methods
• The role of government in regulating waste management
• The impact of waste management on climate change
• The potential for waste-to-energy technologies to reduce landfill waste
• The importance of educating the public about waste management
• The role of businesses in implementing sustainable waste management practices
• The social justice implications of waste management
• The impact of waste management on wildlife and ecosystems
• The benefits of using biodegradable materials to reduce waste
• The challenges of managing construction and demolition waste
• The potential for using waste as a resource in circular economy models
• The role of technology in improving waste management processes
• The impact of food waste on global hunger and food security
• The benefits of implementing zero-waste initiatives in communities
• The role of NGOs in promoting sustainable waste management practices
• The potential for using drones to monitor and manage waste
• The impact of waste management on water quality
• The benefits of community-based waste management programs
• The challenges of managing hazardous waste
• The potential for using blockchain technology to track waste disposal
• The role of education in promoting sustainable waste management practices
• The impact of waste management on air quality
• The benefits of waste segregation and sorting programs
• The challenges of managing medical waste
• The potential for using robots to automate waste sorting processes
• The role of public-private partnerships in improving waste management
• The impact of waste management on urban planning and development
• The benefits of using anaerobic digestion to process organic waste
• The challenges of managing electronic waste in developing countries
• The potential for using machine learning algorithms to optimize waste collection routes
• The role of social media in raising awareness about waste management issues
• The impact of waste management on biodiversity conservation
• The benefits of implementing extended producer responsibility programs
• The challenges of managing marine litter
• The potential for using satellite imagery to monitor illegal waste dumping
• The role of indigenous communities in sustainable waste management practices
• The impact of waste management on land degradation
• The benefits of using biochar to improve soil quality
• The challenges of managing radioactive waste
• The potential for using 3D printing to create products from recycled materials
• The role of artists in raising awareness about waste management issues
• The impact of waste management on social inequality
• The benefits of implementing pay-as-you-throw waste pricing schemes
• The challenges of managing agricultural waste
• The potential for using blockchain technology to create a transparent waste management system
• The role of citizen science in monitoring waste pollution
• The impact of waste management on tourism
• The benefits of using drones to collect and transport waste
• The challenges of managing industrial waste
• The potential for using gene editing technologies to break down plastic waste
• The role of policymakers in promoting sustainable waste management practices
• The impact of waste management on public perception of cities
• The benefits of using algae to clean up wastewater
• The challenges of managing construction and demolition waste in urban areas
• The potential for using artificial intelligence to optimize waste management processes
• The role of community gardens in reducing food waste
• The impact of waste management on mental health
• The benefits of using green roofs to reduce stormwater runoff
• The challenges of managing asbestos waste
• The potential for using drones to monitor landfill sites
• The role of youth groups in promoting waste management education
• The impact of waste management on renewable energy production
• The benefits of implementing waste audits in businesses
• The challenges of managing wastewater treatment sludge
• The potential for using geospatial technologies to map waste hotspots
• The role of religious organizations in promoting waste reduction
• The impact of waste management on indigenous rights
• The benefits of using blockchain technology to create a circular economy
• The challenges of managing pharmaceutical waste
• The potential for using robots to clean up ocean plastic pollution
• The role of community activists in advocating for waste management reform
• The impact of waste management on green jobs creation
• The benefits of using drones to monitor illegal waste dumping
• The challenges of managing construction and demolition waste in rural areas
• The potential for using satellite imagery to track waste flows
• The role of citizen science in monitoring air quality near waste facilities
• The impact of waste management on water scarcity
• The benefits of using biopesticides to control pests in waste management facilities
• The challenges of managing medical waste in conflict zones
• The potential for using machine learning algorithms to predict waste generation patterns
• The role of grassroots organizations in promoting waste reduction
• The impact of waste management on mental well-being
• The benefits of using drones to monitor illegal waste dumping in remote areas
• The challenges of managing electronic waste in rural communities
• The potential for using blockchain technology to create a decentralized waste management system
• The role of community gardens in promoting sustainable waste management practices
• The impact of waste management on social cohesion
• The benefits of using drones to monitor waste collection routes
• The challenges of managing hazardous waste in developing countries
• The potential for using machine learning algorithms to optimize waste sorting processes
• The role of social entrepreneurs in developing innovative waste management solutions
• The benefits of using blockchain technology to create a transparent waste management system

These waste management essay topic ideas and examples cover a wide range of issues and perspectives, giving you plenty of options to explore in your writing. Whether you're interested in the environmental, social, economic, or technological aspects of waste management, there's sure to be a topic that piques your interest. Good luck with your essay, and happy writing!

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• Waste Management

An Introduction

Waste Management or disposal includes processing and disposing of Waste starting right from its point of inception to complete disposal. Waste can be solid or liquid and sometimes even gas. It can be domestic, industrial, biomedical, municipal or radioactive Waste. Each different type of Waste has a specific disposal method and they can be classified as:

Landfill: A huge dumping ground for garbage usually located away from a city. Every kind of solid waste is disposed of in a landfill.

Incineration: Waste from municipalities and solid residue from Wastewater treatment are disposed of by resorting to combustion which converts them to residue and gaseous products. It is not an eco-friendly method as combustion leads to the release of greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide.

Recycle, Reduce, Re-use

The three R’s of Waste Management, i.e., Reduce reuse and Recycle should be followed at every place possible. These methods of Waste Management are mostly environment friendly and help avoid resorting to Waste Management measures like landfill and incineration that are harmful to humans as well as the environment.

There are numerous benefits of recycling. Recycling helps recover resources that can be used to make use of them in a different way. New products can be made by recycling general Waste. Solid Wastes like wood, glass, plastic, electronic devices, clothing and leather items can be Recycled. 

Wastes that are organic in nature can be Recycled and reused, often as manure or fertilizer for agriculture by the method of decomposition. Food scraps, plant products (such as cow dung) and carcasses, paper products are the most reusable for making manure.

Some Waste items that contain plastic such as polythene bags, bottles, pipes, etc. don't decompose easily and can pile up as a landfill for many years, sometimes ending up in the ocean and killing animals who choke on them accidentally. The use of such products that are harmful to everyone should be Reduced. Alternative options have been developed to Reduce the use of plastic such as jute bags instead of polythene bags, paper straws and packaging to be used in place of those made of plastic are a few to name. 

FAQs on Waste Management

1. What are the Challenges Faced in Waste Management? 

One of the major challenges associated with waste management is solid waste management due to an increase in industrialization. The waste disposal is only rising and in cities with high population faces the wrath of this even more as with time there is deterioration in the natural environment and thus the health of the working class.

2. How can One Tackle this Problem of Waste Management?

The most effective way to resolve this problem is by reducing the production of waste itself; one can do that by composting the food and garden waste or by segregating and sending for recycling. The other important way is by addressing the public on the importance of waste management and its benefits to the environment.

3. What are the sources of Waste?

Waste accumulates in our everyday life from different sources. Households, industries and factories produce both solid and liquid Waste, hospitals and laboratories produce biomedical Wastes like syringes, gauge pads, etc., agricultural fields and farms produce agricultural Waste that includes dung, hay, etc., and even educational institutes like schools and colleges generate some amount of Waste which are called commercial Wastes.

4. What are the types of Waste?

There are mainly two types of Wastes:

Biodegradable Waste: These kinds of Waste are usually generated from the kitchen and are mostly organic in nature and can be decomposed to make manure that is generally used for composting in the garden.

Non-Biodegradable Waste: Wastes that do not decompose easily such as plastic and glass, accumulate in the environment and harm animal life.

5. Why is Waste Management important?

Waste created by different sources in the environment has the potential to harm humans and animals alike by spreading diseases when the Waste is not taken care of through disposal. Animals grazing in the field or unsuspecting water animals can get tangled and die of suffocation from non-biodegradable Waste products like plastic bottles and straws or polythene bags. Waste Management is important to Reduce the effect of Waste on the environment as well as for building livable and sustainable cities through recycling, reusing and reducing Waste materials.

To know more about Waste Management, hop on to Vedantu's website or app and get free study materials! Download now!

6. How can individuals help in Waste Management?

Individuals can take small steps in everyday life to help Reduce the amount of Waste generated through households by reusing materials wherever possible and buying environment-friendly products as well as those which are recyclable in the future. Waste Management also includes the separation of Wastes according to the type of Waste such as solid Waste or liquid Waste, and segregating and disposing of them safely.

7. What is the role of the government in Waste Management?

Starting from municipalities, the local body has the responsibility to process and dispose of Waste from every source and take sanitary measures for keeping a city clean for healthy living. 

Governments can set standards and regulate industrial Waste by encouraging research on Waste product reduction as well as safe elimination and they can also impose penalties or fines for not being able to meet standards for Waste generation and Management thus keeping the factories in check.

They can promote drives on the usefulness of recycling and reusing in rural areas which are the main sources of agricultural Waste. They should also encourage students to learn Waste Management for more sustainable and holistic growth of the future environment.

Essay on Solid Waste Management

Students are often asked to write an essay on Solid Waste Management in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Solid Waste Management

Introduction.

Solid waste management is the process of collecting, treating, and disposing of solid materials that are discarded by purpose or no longer useful.

Improper disposal of solid waste can lead to harmful effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, managing it correctly is crucial.

Methods include landfilling, recycling, and composting. Landfills store waste, recycling reuses materials, and composting breaks down organic waste.

Proper solid waste management is important for our health and environment. We should all participate in it to keep our surroundings clean.

250 Words Essay on Solid Waste Management

Introduction to solid waste management.

Solid waste management (SWM) is a comprehensive process that involves the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, or disposal of solid waste materials. It’s a critical environmental service to preserve the health of communities and the integrity of ecosystems.

The Importance of SWM

The importance of SWM is underscored by the escalating volumes of waste generated due to population growth, urbanization, and economic development. Unmanaged waste can lead to severe environmental problems, including air and water pollution, soil degradation, and climate change. Moreover, it poses significant health risks, such as the spread of diseases.

Methods of SWM

The primary methods of SWM include landfilling, incineration, recycling, and composting. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on various factors, including the type of waste, local environmental regulations, and available resources.

Sustainable SWM

In recent years, the concept of sustainable SWM has gained traction. It emphasizes waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, aiming to minimize waste generation and maximize resource recovery. It also promotes the use of waste-to-energy technologies, turning waste into a resource rather than a burden.

In conclusion, effective SWM is a pressing need of our time. It requires a multi-faceted approach, involving technological innovation, policy reform, and public participation. By adopting sustainable SWM practices, we can mitigate environmental and health risks, conserve resources, and contribute to a circular economy.

500 Words Essay on Solid Waste Management

The importance of solid waste management.

Improper waste disposal poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. It can lead to air and water pollution, soil contamination, and the spread of diseases. Effective SWM is essential for sustainable development and a healthy environment. It reduces landfill dependency, prevents pollution, conserves resources through recycling, and contributes to a circular economy.

Challenges in Solid Waste Management

Despite its importance, SWM faces numerous challenges. Rapid urbanization and population growth have led to an increase in waste generation. Developing nations often lack the necessary infrastructure for effective SWM, leading to uncontrolled dumpsites and pollution. In developed countries, the issue lies in the high consumption rates leading to excessive waste. Additionally, the improper disposal of hazardous waste poses significant environmental and health risks.

Modern Approaches to Solid Waste Management

Waste-to-energy (WTE) technology is another promising solution. It involves the conversion of non-recyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel. This method not only reduces the volume of waste going to landfills but also provides a renewable source of energy.

The Role of Policy and Public Participation

Effective SWM requires robust policy frameworks and public participation. Policies should promote sustainable practices like recycling and composting and discourage wasteful behaviors. They should also ensure the safe disposal of hazardous waste.

In conclusion, solid waste management is a complex but vital aspect of modern society. It is a shared responsibility that requires concerted efforts from governments, communities, and individuals. By adopting sustainable practices and leveraging technology, we can manage waste effectively and contribute to a healthier, cleaner environment.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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What a Waste: An Updated Look into the Future of Solid Waste Management

The Kiteezi landfill near Kampala was expanded as part of the Kampala Institutional Infrastructure Development Project, allowing for the storage and treatment of waste collected in the city. © Sarah Farhat/World Bank

“Waste not, want not.” This old saying rings so true today, as global leaders and local communities alike increasingly call for a fix for the so-called “throwaway culture.” But beyond individuals and households, waste also represents a broader challenge that affects human health and livelihoods, the environment, and prosperity.

And with over 90% of waste openly dumped or burned in low-income countries, it is the poor and most vulnerable who are disproportionately affected.

In recent years, landslides of waste dumps have buried homes and people under piles of waste. And it is the poorest who often live near waste dumps and power their city’s recycling system through waste picking, leaving them susceptible to serious health repercussions.

“Poorly managed waste is contaminating the world’s oceans, clogging drains and causing flooding, transmitting diseases, increasing respiratory problems from burning, harming animals that consume waste unknowingly, and affecting economic development, such as through tourism,” said Sameh Wahba, World Bank Director for Urban and Territorial Development, Disaster Risk Management and Resilience.

Greenhouse gasses from waste are also a key contributor to climate change.

“Solid waste management is everyone’s business. Ensuring effective and proper solid waste management is critical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Ede Ijjasz-Vasquez, Senior Director of the World Bank’s Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice.

What a Waste 2.0

While this is a topic that people are aware of, waste generation is increasing at an alarming rate. Countries are rapidly developing without adequate systems in place to manage the changing waste composition of citizens.

According to the World Bank’s What a Waste 2.0 report,

An update to a previous edition, the 2018 report projects that

How much trash is that?

Take plastic waste, which is choking our oceans and making up 90% of marine debris. The water volume of these bottles could fill up 2,400 Olympic stadiums, 4.8 million Olympic-size swimming pools, or 40 billion bathtubs. This is also the weight of 3.4 million adult blue whales or 1,376 Empire State Buildings combined.

And that’s just 12% of the total waste generated each year.

In addition to global trends, What a Waste 2.0 maps out the state of solid waste management in each region. For example, the  And although they only account for 16% of the world’s population,

Because waste generation is expected to rise with economic development and population growth, lower middle-income countries are likely to experience the greatest growth in waste production. The fastest growing regions are Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where total waste generation is expected to triple than double by 2050, respectively, making up 35% of the world’s waste. The Middle East and North Africa region is also expected to double waste generation by 2050.

Upper-middle and high-income countries provide nearly universal waste collection, and more than one-third of waste in high-income countries is recovered through recycling and composting. Low-income countries collect about 48% of waste in cities, but only 26% in rural areas, and only 4% is recycled. Overall, 13.5% of global waste is recycled and 5.5% is composted.

To view the full infographic, click  here . 

Toward sustainable solid waste management

“Environmentally sound waste management touches so many critical aspects of development,” said Silpa Kaza, World Bank Urban Development Specialist and lead author of the What a Waste 2.0 report. “Yet, solid waste management is often an overlooked issue when it comes to planning sustainable, healthy, and inclusive cities and communities. Governments must take urgent action to address waste management for their people and the planet.”

Moving toward sustainable waste management requires lasting efforts and a significant cost.

Is it worth the cost?

Yes. Research suggests that it does make economic sense to invest in sustainable waste management. Uncollected waste and poorly disposed waste have significant health and environmental impacts. The cost of addressing these impacts is many times higher than the cost of developing and operating simple, adequate waste management systems.

To help meet the demand for financing, the World Bank is working with countries, cities, and partners worldwide to create and finance effective solutions that can lead to gains in environmental, social, and human capital.

, such as the following initiatives and areas of engagement.

Scavengers burning trash at the Tondo Garbage Dump in Manila, Philippines. © Adam Cohn/Flickr Creative Commons

In   Pakistan , a $5.5 million dollar project supported a composting facility in Lahore in market development and the sale of emission reduction credits under the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Activities resulted in reductions of 150,000 tonnes of CO 2 -equivalent and expansion of daily compost production volume from 300 to 1,000 tonnes per day.

In Vietnam , investments in solid waste management are helping the city of Can Tho prevent clogging of drains, which could result in flooding. Similarly, in the Philippines , investments are helping Metro Manila reduce flood risk by minimizing solid waste ending up in waterways. By focusing on improved collection systems, community-based approaches, and providing incentives, the waste management investments are contributing to reducing marine litter, particularly in Manila Bay.

Leaving no one behind

But the reality for more than 15 million informal waste pickers in the world – typically women, children, the elderly, the unemployed, or migrants – remains one with unhealthy conditions, a lack of social security or health insurance, and persisting social stigma.

In the  West Bank , for example, World Bank loans have supported the construction of three landfill sites that serve over two million residents, enabled dump closure, developed sustainable livelihood programs for waste pickers, and linked payments to better service delivery through results-based financing.

A focus on data, planning, and integrated waste management

Understanding how much and where waste is generated – as well as the types of waste being generated – allows local governments to realistically allocate budget and land, assess relevant technologies, and consider strategic partners for service provision, such as the private sector or non-governmental organizations.

Solutions include:

• Providing financing to countries most in need, especially the fastest growing countries, to develop state-of-the-art waste management systems. 
• Supporting major waste producing countries to reduce consumption of plastics and marine litter through comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs. 
• Reducing food waste through consumer education, organics management, and coordinated food waste management programs.

No time to waste

If no action is taken, the world will be on a dangerous path to more waste and overwhelming pollution. Lives, livelihoods, and the environment would pay an even higher price than they are today.

Many solutions already exist to reverse that trend. What is needed is urgent action at all levels of society.

The time for action is now.

Click here to access the full dataset and download the report What a Waste 2.0: A Global Snapshot of Solid Waste Management to 2050 .

What a Waste 2.0 was funded by the government of Japan through the World Bank’s Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC).

• The Bigger Picture: In-depth stories on ending poverty
• Press release: Global Waste to Grow by 70 Percent by 2050 Unless Urgent Action is Taken: World Bank Report
• Infographic: What a Waste 2.0
• Video blog: Here’s what everyone should know about waste
• Brief: Solid Waste Management
• Slideshow: Five ways cities can curb plastic waste

97 Waste Management Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best waste management topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 interesting topics to write about waste management, 👍 good essay topics on waste management.

• Zero Waste Management The objective of a zero waste lifestyle is to reduce waste on the environment. The government in San Francisco has propagated a Zero Waste lifestyle.
• E-Waste Management for the Local Environment The negative consequence of poor e-waste management, such as poor e-waste disposal, might cue the thoughts of the locals on the need to improve on their environmental awareness, thus joining the local environmental organization proposed.
• Environmental Protection and Waste Management The analysis also focuses on the intellectual behaviour of people regarding the environmental effects of waste. There is lack of strong basis for scientific findings and current guidance is causing the environmental challenges to become […]
• Solid Waste Management in the Dubai Municipality The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of managing the effects of solid waste within the Dubai Municipality.
• E-Waste Management in the School Environment Recycling Recycling is one of the best ways of managing e-waste in the school. Specifically, the school should roll out a comprehensive campaign on the need to dump the e-wastes in these bins.
• The Importance of Zero Waste Management The introduction gets the audience acquainted with the general idea of the paper and the key concept investigated. The major purpose of the zero-waste approach is the arrangement of a circular flow of materials, thereby […]
• Management of E-Waste The school can contact the vendors and suppliers of such equipment for disposal. The school can identify the surplus equipment and organize a local auction to dispose them off.
• Solid Waste Management: Hazardous Waste Management It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the issue of improper trash disposal practices and the human health problems that such practices may cause in the community.
• Effective Waste Management Steps Step 6: To guarantee the effective reuse of the waste, it is necessary to pay attention to the containers for storing the waste and to the method used for reusing the substances.
• E-Waste Disposal in US E-waste disposal is destroying the environment in various ways depending on the type of the electronic disposed and the method of disposal.
• Poor Waste Disposal and Pollution in California For instance, the rapid increase in the number of factories and industries in California has led to more waste products in the state.
• Waste Management Practices: The Shire of Collie Most of the regions within the proximity of the Shire of Collie undertake drastic measures to control the growth of the waste management problem.
• Nepal’s Waste Management Alternatives For this reason, the group embarked on a research and a number of discussions with EWB to come up with the best design to address the problem of waste management in the area.
• Waste Management in Australia Numerous materials that end up in landfills determine the types of waste-to-energy management practices that should be executed to save the environment from pollution and devastation.
• Sustainability and Waste Management Secondly, this approach can decrease the cost of energy, and this opportunity is important for the economic sustainability of the country.
• African Towns’ Waste Management: Port Said, Egypt The report addresses problems in developing African countries in general and the city of Port Said in particular. In Port Said, waste collection is done by local authority employees and is largely dependent on two […]
• Medical Waste Disposal: Steps and Regulations Medical waste is “waste sufficiently capable of causing infection during handling and disposal”. Genotoxic Highly dangerous waste that can be teratogenic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic.
• Healthcare Waste Management and International Pacts Where a private contractor is involved in the collection, transportation, and disposal of the waste, the duty of care principle requires the health care facility to conduct supervision to ensure that the processes are carried […]
• Possible Solutions to the Problem of Solid Waste Management Basing on the Comparison of the Situation in the USA and the European Countries To overcome the issue of solid waste management, the USA and the European countries practice the collection, transportation, recycling of the waste at the local and regional levels, with focusing on the competitiveness of the […]
• The Nuclear Waste Management Policy The increase in the nations’ potential will aid in their industrialization and enable them to contribute more significantly to the settlement of the nuclear waste problem.
• Dental Offices’ Waste Management Practices A dental office also has to train its employees to ensure that they are aware of the importance of effective waste management to minimize the likelihood of pollution.
• Food Waste Management: Impact on Sustainability and Climate Change How effective is composting food waste in enhancing sustainability and reducing the effects of climate change? The following key terms are used to identify and scrutinize references and study materials.”Food waste” and sustain* “Food waste” […]
• Efficient Strategies to Improve Waste Management in Qatar Restaurants The primary aim of the study is to determine the effective strategies that can be used to improve waste management in restaurants operating in Qatar.
• Sustainable Waste Management Benefits In this study, the scholar’s aims include: to know the impacts of workable management of leftover in project-based corporations, including how it profits organisations and the various methods firms use to sustain the environment.
• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Strategies People are informed about the area of the collection facilities and the types of materials that are permissible and inadmissible at the collection site.
• Illegal Hazardous Waste Management Cases It may include the illegal storage of waste under the guise of valuable materials or the illegal dumping of refuse into surroundings.
• Waste Management and Policy Improvement Suggestions However, the existing framework does not allow for rigid and sufficient control of the waste management strategies, particularly in regard to organizational e-waste management and e-waste disposal in families.
• The Issue of Waste Management at Events This paper considers the importance of gradually reducing the volume of waste generated at events and the possibility of attracting investors to the field of waste recycling at events.
• Waste Management Sustainability in the UK Fashion Industry In spite of the presence of the overarching goal, the exact nature and direction of sustainable policies may vary across different contexts and regions of the globe.
• Reign of Recycling and Waste Management Problem Despite the established opinion about the benefits of recycling, John Tierney, the author of the article, debates the advantages of this process.
• Solid Waste Disposal: Alternative Methods From this perspective, the necessity to recycle specific types of waste is easier to explain to the citizens than the benefits of incineration, as the former approach is more explicit.
• Environmental Effect & Waste Management Survey The result shows that most respondents are aware of some of the issues caused by environmental waste and lack of recycling.
• On Waste Management: “The Big Necessity” by Rose George To accomplish this three major issues are addressed; the author’s points as well as my intention, things I have learned from the book as well as my thoughts, and lastly the benefits of the book.
• Waste Disposal: Deductions, Legal Fees S 8-1 Positive and Negative limbs: First positive limb: The extent to which outgoing expenses are incurred in gaining or producing assessable income.
• Waste Management and Hazardous Releases The study assesses the credibility of the area to sustain the facility and the effect on the public health and environment.
• Radioactive Medical Waste Management The discovery of the potential of radionuclides in the management of medical conditions has seen an increase in the use of radionuclides in medical facilities.
• Transpacific Waste Management Facility The company has a wide range of waste removal, management, and disposal arrangements that have been fully certified to manage liquid and hazardous waste materials.
• Waste Management in Developing Nations: A Need Assessment Plan Information gathering is very important as it will tell the current methods of waste management present in the community and the existing resources.
• E-Waste Management in the US: In Search of a Financial Model This paper defines and considers the peculiar characteristics of electronic waste or E-Waste, and invites particular reference to the system of E-Waste management followed by the US federal government and the member States.
• Mapping Environmental Justice: Water and Waste Management Environmental justice describes a set of values, rules and actions which place the responsibility for the dangers to the environmental health on citizens from all ethnicities and socioeconomic classes of the society and guarantee them […]
• Analysis of the Hazardous Waste Management in American States The report particularly mirrors the relationship of the number of waste generators and total hazardous waste generated by the state, generators versus waste generated, and waste shipped versus a number of regions within the States.
• Electronic Waste Management and Recycling In this modern era, going green is the main concern of companies and thus a stance for competition for the majority.
• Liquid Waste Disposal and Ground Water Contamination The following picture illustrates the contamination of water by the liquid waste disposed by The Davis Liquid Waste Analysis of the two case studies reveals that there was ground water in glacial deposits contamination by […]
• Evaluation and Enhancement of E-Waste Management in Dubai The following are some of the possible research methods that can be used to evaluate how to enhance e-waste management in the United Arab Emirates, specifically in the city of Dubai.
• Horizon Company’s Energy and Waste Management The same analogy is true for its high-energy demand because Horizon’s use of fossil fuel and electricity to power its organisational processes contribute to the depletion of the earth’s resources.
• Waste Management: Building Information Modeling The amount of waste generated in construction and demolition processes is enormous and is considered the largest portion of global waste.
• Electronic Waste Management in China According to Liu et al, one of the major areas of concern in environmental conservation is the massive generation of electronic wastes.
• Waste Management in Food Processing: Different Types of Wastes and Recycling Ways Even though countries use a variety of ways to manage waste, the research suggests that they are not sufficiently effective and the accumulating waste poses a danger to the well-being of the population.
• Metalico Inc.’s Sustainability and Waste Management The other types of scrap metal are distributed to the other facilities in various states. Since this company is a scrap metal recycling facility, it protects the environment against pollution.
• Etihad Airways Company’s Waste Management Approach Moreover, one of the core values of the company is its determination to create a sustainable system that will minimize the impact of the company’s operations on the environment.
• Waste Management in Australia: International Lessons This report is based on the extensive literature survey of the waste management sector in Australia and helps to develop an understanding of the achievements made by the country in the chosen sector. Many developed […]
• Ford’s Waste Disposal in Ringwood Mines Landfill Site In 1984, the area was placed on the Superfund priority list by the Environmental Protection Agency in order to clean up the contamination; however, several attempts of land recovery made by Ford failed as pockets […]
• Hazardous Waste Disposal in the United States The purpose of this report is to present the results of the investigation of the Hanford vitrification plant, a construction projct of Bechtel Corporation.
• Food and Water Waste Disposal in NYC As Grogan observes, many of the problems that are associated with the process of waste disposal are due to the corruption in the state government.
• Waste Management and Action Plan: SP AusNet’s Offices Besides, the report outlines the protocols and procedures for conducting waste management audits such as visual inspection of the current waste boxes and disposal bins.
• Geelong Resource Recovery Centre: Waste Management The Organogram of the facility supports the waste disposal system. Consequently, some waste materials are not transported to the landfill facility.
• Transpacific, Australian Waste Disposal Agency The services department is classified into the general waste disposal, hazardous waste disposal unit, industrial waste disposal and other waste disposal unit. In accordance with the Waste Management Act, the company has the certification and […]
• Hazardous Material Waste Management Issues For example, nuclear wastes that are generated during the production of nuclear energy are highly hazardous to people and the environment.
• Benefit Corporation’s Waste Management Owing to the new changes in the operational nature of this company, there is an urgent need to oversee the wellbeing of the immediate environment.
• Hazardous Waste Management Policy at ASU Understanding the seriousness of the issue and the importance of the correct policy applied towards such aspect of work as hazardous waste management, I have read the policy Arizona State University presents.
• Nuclear Waste Disposal Methods The main challenge associated with the nuclear energy is the disposal of the resultant waste. The question of nuclear waste management remains a challenging one given that projections indicate a possible rise in the use […]
• Solid Waste Management in Canada The paper researches and examines the issue of privatization in solid waste management in Canada. The article reveals crucial debates on the issue of privatization of solid waste management.
• “Management Models of Municipal Solid Waste: A Review Focusing on Socio Economic Factors” by Cherian and Jacob Numerous factors impact the quality and results of solid waste management, and the goal of Cherian and Jacob is to review them.
• Introducing E-Waste Management Course in the College The objective of the course would be to ensure that the youths are responsible for the management of wastes, especially the electronic wastes.
• Waste Management Plan – Archivision Garbage collection is inappropriate while the firm produces a great amount of paper and ink wastes, not to mention the food waste and from other activities in the kitchen and in the suites.
• Global Solid Waste Problem and Management Effectiveness in the collection of solid wastes depends on the rate of production of the wastes and availability of resources and equipment to facilitate this collection.
• Waste Disposal of Victoria City Since the quality of wastes is above the amount which is allowed for disposal through the council, the company should begin by getting waste disposal certificate and observe the rules of disposing the hazardous wastes.
• E-Waste Management Plan for Melbourne School For instance, the e-waste sensitization unit may be encouraged to advice the stakeholders of the school to observe the basic rules of e-waste disposal such as collection of these wastes in designated containers or collection […]
• Sustainability and Waste Management: University of Queensland At the time of the collection of the waste from the bins, the bins are over 50% full, with the general waste bins being 95% full.
• Refinery Wastewater Management Water processing plants that use chemical processes to manage the waste water have now turned to the use of zero-effluent techniques of waste management that ensure that the waste water can be re-used and the […]
• Waste Management in Rye Facility The main aim of Rye facility is to foster waste recovery together with the provision of tipping services to people within the municipality.
• Waste Management in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi The government in the emirate should formulate regulations governing waste management and restricting any form of disposal that could be harmful to the environment.
• A Comparative Analysis of American and Chinese Waste Management Methods In addition, the use of recycling reduces the chances of a country to make use of land fill and incineration and promotes the usability of waste materials again and again.
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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Waste Management — Steps of Effective Waste Management

Steps of Effective Waste Management

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Essay on Waste Management 1000+ Words

Waste management is a crucial aspect of our daily lives that often goes unnoticed but plays a vital role in keeping our communities clean and protecting the environment. In this essay, we will explore the significance of waste management, focusing on its role in reducing pollution, conserving resources, and promoting a healthier planet.

Defining Waste Management

Waste management refers to the collection, disposal, and recycling of waste materials. It includes everything from household trash to industrial waste. Proper waste management ensures that waste is handled in a way that minimizes its impact on the environment and human health. It’s like a puzzle where we need to find the right pieces for a cleaner world.

Reducing Pollution

One of the most significant benefits of waste management is the reduction of pollution. When waste is not managed properly, it can end up in landfills or even littering public spaces. This leads to pollution of our air, soil, and water. For example, plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals into the environment. Waste management prevents such pollution by safely disposing of or recycling materials.

Conserving Resources

Waste management is also about conserving valuable resources. Many of the items we throw away, such as paper, glass, and metal, can be recycled and turned into new products. Recycling helps reduce the need for raw materials, which in turn conserves natural resources like trees and minerals. It’s like giving a second life to things we no longer need.

Protecting Wildlife

Improper waste disposal can harm wildlife. Animals can ingest or get entangled in waste materials, leading to injuries or even death. Plastic bags and bottles, for instance, pose a significant threat to marine life when they end up in oceans. By managing waste responsibly, we create a safer environment for animals, preserving the natural beauty of our world.

Public Health and Safety

Waste management is essential for public health and safety. When waste piles up in our neighborhoods, it can attract pests like rats and insects, spreading diseases. Furthermore, hazardous waste materials, like chemicals and electronics, can be harmful if not handled correctly. Proper waste management protects our communities from these health hazards.

Economic Benefits

There are economic advantages to effective waste management too. Recycling creates jobs and industries dedicated to collecting, processing, and selling recycled materials. It also reduces the costs associated with waste disposal in landfills. A well-managed waste system can contribute to a healthier economy.

The Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

A key principle of waste management is the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. “Reduce” means using fewer resources and generating less waste in the first place. “Reuse” encourages finding new uses for items instead of throwing them away. “Recycle” involves turning waste into new products. These principles guide us in making responsible choices in our daily lives.

Community Involvement

Waste management is not just the responsibility of governments and businesses. Individuals can make a significant difference by practicing responsible waste disposal. Participating in community clean-up events, recycling, and educating others about waste management are ways in which we can all contribute to a cleaner environment.

Conclusion of Essay on Waste Management

In conclusion, waste management is more than just taking out the trash; it’s about taking care of our planet and ensuring a better future for generations to come. By reducing pollution, conserving resources, protecting wildlife, promoting public health, and even boosting our economy, waste management touches every aspect of our lives. It’s a responsibility we all share, and by following the three R’s and practicing responsible waste management, we can make a positive impact on our world. Together, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable tomorrow through proper waste management.

Also Check: Simple Guide on How To Write An Essay

Waste Management Strategies for Sustainable Development

• Living reference work entry
• First Online: 22 January 2019
• Cite this living reference work entry

• Calvin Wan 2 ,
• Geoffrey Qiping Shen 3 &
• Stella Choi 2  

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Higher education ; Strategy ; Sustainable development ; Waste management

Waste management refers to the activities and actions that handle waste materials. It includes collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste. Waste prevention, recycling, reuse, and recovery are important waste management strategies that eases the burden on landfills, conserves natural resources, and saves energy. This helps utilize resources more effectively and sustainably.

Introduction

The world is besieged with growing pressure of waste management. The amount of waste has been increasing along with expanding population and rising human activities (The Washington Post 2017 ; The World Bank 2018 ). The World Bank estimated that there were approximately 1.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste generated globally in 2012 and the volume is expected to reach 2.2 billion tons by 2025 (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata 2012 ). Waste levies a heavy tax on the environment and human health; it is...

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Acknowledgments

The book chapter is based on a research project fully supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Project Reference No.: UGC/FDS24/H02/15).

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Wan, C., Shen, G.Q., Choi, S. (2019). Waste Management Strategies for Sustainable Development. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63951-2_194-1

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Solid Waste Management

The term solid waste management mainly refers to the complete process of collecting, treating and disposing of solid wastes.

In the waste management process, the wastes are collected from different sources and are disposed of. This process includes collection, transportation, treatment, analysis and disposal of waste. It needs to be monitored so that strict regulations and guidelines are followed.

Sources of Solid Wastes

• Solid domestic garbage.
• Solid waste material from various industries.
• Solid agricultural waste.
• Plastics, glass, metals, e-waste, etc.
• Medical waste.
• Construction waste, sewage sludge

Solid Waste Management Diagram 

Disposal of Waste

The process of waste handling and disposal varies in different countries. In India, the processes differ according to the source of solid waste. They can be classified as:

⦁ Municipal Solid Waste. ⦁ Hazardous Solid Waste.

Municipal solid waste can further be divided into biodegradable, recyclable and hazardous domestic wastes. The biodegradable waste includes rotten food, vegetable peel and mostly wet kitchen waste. Recyclable waste includes plastic and hazardous wastes include, bulb, batteries, etc.

The industry generated waste from chemical factories, medical waste from hospitals are considered as Hazardous Solid Waste and they need special settings to dispose of them.

In any region, solid waste management is very important for the safe disposal of wastes and to reduce environmental pollution and avoid any health hazards that it may cause.

Landfills are the most common method of disposing of solid wastes. Modern-day landfills are designed by taking care of various environmental factors and types of wastes , so as to minimise pollution and health risks.

Also Refer:  Waste Disposal 

Effects of Poor Solid Waste Management

Due to improper disposal of solid waste particularly by waste management organizations, the collected wastes gets heap up and become a problem for both the environment and also for the public.

By dumping of huge garbage, drives biodegradable materials to decay and decompose under abnormal, uncontrolled and unhygienic conditions. After a few days of decomposition , it becomes a breeding ground for different types of disease-causing insects as well as infectious organisms. A foul smell is produced and it also spoils the aesthetic value of the area.

The solid wastes collected from different industries include toxic metals, chemicals, and other hazardous wastes. When these wastes are released into the environment, they can produce biological and physicochemical problems to the environment, the chemicals may drain into the soil and pollute the groundwater and also alter the productivity of the soils in that particular area.

In rare cases,  the hazardous wastes may get mixed up with the ordinary garbage and other combustible wastes causing the disposal process even harder and risky.

By burning the paper and other scraps along with the hazardous wastes, dioxins and poisonous gasses are produced and released into the air which results in causing various diseases including chronic disease, skin infections, cancer, etc.

Also Refer:  Causes of Waste Management – Explore Why Waste Management Is Important

Frequently Asked Questions

What is solid waste management.

Solid waste management denotes the process of collecting, treating and disposing of solid wastes. Solid waste can be domestic, agricultural or even industrial wastes.

What are the different types of waste?

Waste can be broadly divided into liquid waste, industrial waste, solid garbage, radioactive waste and recyclable waste. This includes garbage from households, industries, schools, offices, marketplaces, restaurants and other places.

What are industrial wastes?

Industrial wastes are typically generated from chemical plants, cement factories, power plants, textile industries, food processing industries, and petroleum industries. Each of these industries produces different types of waste products.

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Solid waste management

The increasing volume and complexity of waste associated with the modern economy is posing a serious risk to ecosystems and human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste is collected worldwide and decay of the organic proportion of solid waste is contributing about 5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide. Of all the waste streams, waste from electrical and electronic equipment containing new and complex hazardous substances presents the fastest-growing challenge in both developed and developing countries.

Poor waste management - ranging from non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal -causes air pollution, water and soil contamination. Open and unsanitary landfills contribute to contamination of drinking water and can cause infection and transmit diseases. The dispersal of debris pollutes ecosystems and dangerous substances from electronic waste or industrial garbage puts a strain on the health of urban dwellers and the environment.

The solution, in the first place, is the minimisation of waste. Where waste cannot be avoided, recovery of materials and energy from waste as well as remanufacturing and recycling waste into usable products should be the second option. Recycling leads to substantial resource savings. For example, for every tonne of paper recycled, 17 trees and 50 per cent of water can be saved. Moreover, recycling creates jobs: the sector employs 12 million people in Brazil, China and United States alone.

The UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) in Japan supports the implementation of integrated solid waste management systems. Its work also focuses on the proper treatment of special wastes (electronics, agricultural biomass, plastics) in developing countries. IETC aims to optimize the management of solid waste by involving all stakeholders in the process through pilot projects at local level.

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