Waste products if not properly managed can be a nuisance. As much as many people are well aware of the effects of poor waste management practices, most of them choose to overlook the drawbacks of poor waste management practices and the benefits gained by proper waste disposal methods.
Types of Wastes
There are different types of wastes. Some of these wastes are recyclable whereas others are not. Recycling can be a technical subject, and it is not surprising why most people fail to grasp this concept. Knowledge of different types of waste goes a long way helping understand the subject of recycling.
- Liquid Waste
Liquid waste often comes from households and industries. This type of waste includes organic liquids, wash water, dirty water, and even rainwater. These liquids can be classified as point source water and non-point source water. Point source waters contain pollutants from a certain/singular source, non-point waters are polluted with wastes from various sources, such as sewerage runoff.
- Solid Wastes
Solid wastes are items disposed of from both residential areas and industrial locations. Solid waste materials often include things like paper, scrap metal, ceramics and glass, plastics, and medical wastes among others. Depositing solid wastes in landfills or poor disposal methods poses both a health and environmental concern.
- Organic Wastes
Organic wastes are common in households but may also be present in commercial businesses. Deposition of organic waste leads to the production of methane gas. Organic wastes have their bright side as they can be turned to manure. However, this does not mean they can be disposed everywhere.
- Industrial Wastes
Industrial wastes are known to be highly toxic, and thus require special treatment before being released from the industry. Exposure to industrial wastes poses a real threat to both flora and fauna. Effects of exposure on humans might require services of medical practitioners from https://www.kry.care/ or hospitalization. Food processing plants, power generating companies, breweries, sugar mills, and paper factories to mention a few, are known to produce lots of toxic wastes.
- Hazardous Wastes
Hazardous wastes cover all types of residues highlighted above. For waste to be classified as harmful, it could be toxic, infectious, corrosive, reactive, or flammable. Most waste products classified as dangerous are often discharged from industries. Once these hazardous wastes find their way into water bodies or on land, it is often impossible to reverse the damage caused.
Waste Management Practices
The methods used in waste management vary depending on the source, nature and amount of waste. The first line of any waste management practice, waste prevention or reduction. Waste reduction is achieved using green production methods. The second approach used in waste management is reusing already manufactured products. Finally, recycling serves to divert tons of waste products from disposal.
A combination of these three waste management practices (waste prevention, reusing, and recycling) goes a long way in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, conservation of natural resources, energy savings, and a reduction in the amounts of wastes in landfills. Waste management also attracts social, environmental and economic benefits.