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INTRODUCTION
Democritus Leucippus
Democritus Leucippus
Waste is defined as unwanted and unusable materials
and is regarded as a substance which is of no use. Waste
that we see in our surroundings is also known as
garbage. Garbage is mainly considered as a solid waste
that includes wastes from our houses (domestic waste),
wastes from schools, offices, etc (municipal wastes)
and wastes from industries and factories (industrial
wastes).
Sources of Waste:
Sources of waste can be broadly classified into four
types:
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Domestic
- Agricultural
Type of Waste
Commonly waste is classified into two types:
- Biodegradable
- Non-biodegradable
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Sources of Waste
Industrial Waste
These are the wastes created in factories and industries. Most
industries dump their wastes in rivers and seas which cause a lot of
pollution.
Example: plastic, glass,scrap/metals etc.
Commercial Waste
Commercial wastes are produced in schools, colleges, shops, and
offices.
Example: plastic, paper, etc.
Domestic Waste
The different household wastes which are collected during household
activities like cooking, cleaning, etc. are known as domestic wastes.
Example: leaves, vegetable peels, excreta, etc.
Agricultural Waste
Various wastes produced in the agricultural field are known as
agricultural wastes.
Example: cattle waste, weed, husk, etc.
Commercial Waste
Agricultural Waste
Domestic
Waste
Domestic
Waste
Agri-Waste
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Waste Disposal
Waste disposal means removing, discarding, recycling or
destroying unwanted materials called waste that is produced
from agriculture, domestic usage or industrial products.
Following the correct methods for waste disposal will ensure
lesser pollution and hazards for the environment. Proper waste
management is necessary with steps involving the proper
collection of waste and scientific treatments that may contribute
less to water pollution, soil pollution and air pollution.
Waste management is an important term associated with waste
disposal and both go hand in hand for maintaining a clean
environment. The 7 R’s associated with waste management are
Refuse, Repurpose, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle and
Rethink. Following each of these steps in the process of waste
disposal will help enormously to live hygienically and healthily.
Methods of Waste Disposal
Landfill
Incineration
Biogas Generation
Composting
Waste compaction
Vermicomposting
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Landfill
It is one of the most popular types of waste
management systems in the world. It includes
the collection, transportation, disposal and
burying of waste in designated property. Many
towns are planning deserted and barren areas
to cope with waste.
In this process, the waste type involves non-
reusable and non-recyclable substances which
are spread in a thin layer in specific low-lying
lands or areas. These areas are dug deep
where waste is disposed inside then a layer of
soil will be used to cover it back. These areas
are declared unfit for activities like construction
of buildings for the next 20 years. That site can
be made use for building parks or playgrounds
in the near future. It is one of the hugely adopted
methods of waste disposal in a bulk manner.
Authorities are committed to ensuring that the
construction of each landfill is successful in
terms of sanitation and economic land use.
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Incineration
Incineration is the treatment of waste or waste
disposal by the means of burning where the
garbage turns into the incombustible matter like
gases and ashes. Incinerators are believed to be
environmentally very dangerous as the resultants
are heavy metals, which are placed in landfills
ultimately making air, water, and soil polluted.
However, there are numerous benefits
associated with this process including decreased
waste quantity, production of power and heat,
pollution reduction, no transportation of waste
required, control over noise and odor, and
elimination of chemical and harmful germs.
This process reduces the volume of waste by 90
per cent and is considered as one of the most
hygienic methods of waste disposal. In some
cases, the heat generated is used to produce
electricity. However, some consider this process,
not quite environmentally friendly due to the
generation of greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide and carbon monoxide.
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Generation of Biogas
Food items, animal waste, municipal waste,
vegetable/fruit peels and organic industrial
wastes are biodegradable waste which means
these can be decomposed by bacteria or other
organisms. Using these wastes, biogas is
produced at small as well as a large scale where
bacteria, fungi, and other microbes easily
degrade the substances. The organic
biodegradable matter that is broken down or has
to be decomposed serves as food for
microorganisms. The biogas production process
can happen anaerobically i.e. without oxygen as
well as aerobically i.e. with oxygen.
The outcome is biogas which is used as a fuel
and the remains are used as manure in fields or
plantations. Biogas is a mixture of gases,
primarily methane and carbon dioxide. This kind
of waste disposal method is beneficial as the
wastes are utilized in production of something
useful.
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Waste Compaction
Waste compaction involves a proper technique
that includes shredding the waste into smaller
pieces, pushing to mix properly and placing it in
such a way to fill voids.
Waste compaction results in reducing the amount
and size of waste that ultimately results in less
pollution of the environment.
This process prevents the oxidation of metals
and reduces airspace need, thus making
transportation and positioning easy.
Recycling is also one of the best methods to
reduce waste and it can be performed for cans,
plastic bottles, cardboards, paper, metal, textiles,
electronics, batteries, tires, etc. Reusing these
kinds of wastes is possible through recycling.
By compacting waste, not only do you produce
more efficiency, but you limit your carbon
footprint and pollution (from things like plastic
waste).
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Composting
Composting is one of the waste disposal
methods that begin from our kitchen. It deals with
all organic materials including food scraps,
garden waste, fruits and vegetable peels.
When these substances are buried and left under
the soil for some days, those decay under the
action of bacteria, fungi and other
microorganisms. As a result, decomposition
takes place and a humus-like substance called
compost is formed.
It is highly beneficial to be used as manure or
fertilizer as it is nutrient-rich that can replenish
the soil to grow crops or plants. It’s also known to
enhance the water retention capacity of the soil
and is the best alternative to harmful chemical
fertilizers.
There are four primary compost types: compost,
farmyard manure, green manure, and
vermicompost. Each type has its own benefit
alongside mutual benefits.
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Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is also known as
vermiculture, vermicomposting is one of the
waste disposal methods and it is performed by
the decomposition process using white worms,
red wigglers, earthworms and other worms to
break the organic matter like vegetable or food
waste. Vermicast is the end product generated as
a result of breakdown of organic waste by
earthworms. Vermicompost or vermicast is highly
water-soluble that acts as an excellent source of
nutrients and thus used as fertilizer. It is often
mixed with soil in a standard ratio or added as a
liquid fertilizer.
The by-products of digestion which are excreted
out by the worms make the soil nutrient-rich, thus
enhancing the growth of bacteria and fungi. It is
also far more effective than traditional
composting.
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Thank You
Bibliography :
1) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/vermicomposting#:
2) https://byjus.com/biology/waste-disposal/
3) https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/waste-disposal-and-management-all-you-
need-to-know-1718288-2020-09-04
4) https://www.vedantu.com/biology/waste-disposal
5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill
6) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/waste-disposal
7) https://www.mumbaiwastemanagement.com/.
Acknowledgement:
I wish to express my deep gratitude and sincere thanks to the Principal, Mrs Sudha Menon,
North Point School for her encouragement and facilities that she provided for this project work.
I extend my hearty thanks to Mrs J.Kameswari Biology teacher, who guided me to the
successful completion of this project. I take this opportunity to express my deep sense of
gratitude for her invaluable guidance, constant encouragement, immense motivation, which
has sustained my efforts at all the stages of this Project work…
I can’t forget to offer my sincere thanks to parents and also to my sister who helped me to
carry out this project work successful and for their valuable advice and support, which I
received from them time to time….