Dealing with waste management in today’s era could be quite a debatable argument. With rising concerns of viruses, pollution control, contamination, and exhaustion of limited resources, the world is currently still looking out for one of the safest and most effective ways of garbage disposal. Fortunately, there still exist many diverse methods for disposal of waste. Youth is stepping up worldwide not only to create and find possible solutions to waste management but are also raising awareness about the adverse effects it may bring on the environment.
Every country may differ from one another in terms of dealing with waste. It is essential that individuals worldwide are more cautious about garbage disposal and the methods adopted to get rid of it, even if it involves handling waste at home. As an honorary citizen/resident of Australia, it is vital to adhere and cope with the government laws and vision that is hoping to achieve its zero waste target in 2030. You can even do so with the help of several organizations and waste dealing companies out there, such as Rubbish removal in Sydney, an organization that ensures waste is recycled and removed responsibly. Here are ten ways for you to effectively deal with waste management.
1. Incineration
This is also referred to as thermal treatment and is an effective way to deal with waste disposal. Combustion is a method of disposal where solid waste is converted into residue and gas-based products by being burned at severely high temperatures. The fact that by adopting this method, you can reduce 20%-30% of waste from its original volume can be beneficial in terms of storing in landfills. The idea is to convert the trash into heat, gas, ash, and steam with the help of incinerators.
2. Compost
One of the most common methods out there is composting. Composting could be done in several ways and could even be practised at home. A general view over these states that it is an easy, natural bio-degradation process. The remains of your plants, garden, and kitchen waste, also referred to as organic waste is merely turning the waste into nutrient-packed food for your garden and plants. Without any use of heavy machinery, organic farmers usually allow the waste to sit at one place for months until it is decomposed by microbes. Composting will enable you to turn unsafe garbage into safe and useful compost.
3. Landfill
Landfills are a popular and most used method of garbage disposal. As the name suggests, it basically emphasizes burying waste in the land. The harmful bacteria and enzymes are taken care of as there is an initial process before the waste is placed into the ground, which eliminates odours and the dangers of garbage. While this method is typically adopted by developing countries, it does create storage issues and can cause numerous adverse effects on the environment and natural habitat. There are around 2000 unregulated landfill waste sites in Australia alone. Most countries are reconsidering this use of waste management due to the consequences surpassing the benefits attached.
4. Vermicompost
Vermicompost is one of the subdivisions of decomposition that involves various species of worms such as red wigglers, white worms, and earthworms. Decomposition takes place by using worms to convert organic waste into a substance, which is commonly referred to as vermin-compost. This process has to take place quickly to remain effective. Vermin compost or vermicast is the final result of this process. It is also effective fertilizer for the growth of plants and preventing them from being infected by harmful insects.
5. Disposal of waste in marine waters
This is a method that is adopted in areas that have coastal regions. Though this not recommended and can cause severe and adverse effects on the environment. It is one of the ways of dealing with waste management. Materials are dumped from land with the help of pipes and are discharged into the ocean/sea. The Australia environment protection act of 1981 regulates the intentional dumping of waste into the sea to prevent marine pollution.
6. Recycle
The best way and most effective way for waste management would be to recover and recycle. It is an ideal way to conserve scarce resources and make use of discarded items for a possible specific next use. Materials are often retrieved from waste or are extracted and processed to convert them to different forms of energy, such as fuel, heat, and electricity. Not only does this method ensure waste management is dealt with properly, but it reduces the consumption and utilization of fresh raw materials and energy and also eliminates factors for pollution of natural resources such as air and water.
7. Biogas generation
Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion. Typically present in an anaerobic environment (which is an environment that lacks on the presence of oxygen), organic wastes such as food scraps are broken down and ultimately release different gases, most common of them being methane and carbon dioxide. Waste is decomposed by the process of fermentation. Biogas is environmentally friendly as it deals with dangerous gases and prevents the overconsumption of fossil fuel energy.
8. Plasma gasification
Another form of waste management is plasma gasification, which produces Plasma, a highly ionized, and electrically charged gas. Solid or liquid wastes are converted into syngas, which is made up of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, as a result of this process. The molecular bonds and properties of the waste are broken down due to the heat present in the elemental components. It produces renewable energy, and dangerous materials and debris can quickly be sorted through. It is an extreme thermal process that takes place in a sealed, vessel-like container, which is referred to as the plasma converter of waste materials.
9. Waste to energy
The waste to energy process is an effective and beneficial way of converting materials and waste that are irrecoverable or recyclable into several elements and forms of energy, such as heat, electricity, or fuel. It is a renewable energy source that reduces the risk of carbon emissions by limiting the use of fossil sources and energy. This is commonly known as WtE, which is an acronym for ‘Waste to Energy’ and is gaining popularity due to the fantastic benefits attached to it.
10. Avoidance
The easiest way to cater to garbage and waste management is to avoid it simply. By reducing the creation of waste materials or substances that are often difficult to recycle or are exhausting scarce and limited resources, we can prevent the environment from suffering from different forms of pollution. Waste avoidance and reduction can be done by recycling, repairing, and creating more awareness about the dangers attached to some of the ways of waste management, burning of waste, for instance.
Though there may be certain kinds of waste that are hazardous and have to be dealt with effectively for safe handling to occur to prevent contamination and pollution, recycling and recomposing are undoubtedly one of the most reliable methods out there but are unfortunately only small scale forms of waste management. With recycling awareness around the world and distinctive use of bins that promote recycling, paper, metal, and plastic are considered one of the most recyclable items out there. Every method may have some pros and cons attached. It is essential to evaluate the effects on the environment before making any compulsive decisions about dealing with waste.