Do I generate waste?
No matter where and how we live, we create waste. The phenomenon of waste generation is not something recent. Waste has been produced ever since humans have existed on the face of the planet, although the nature of waste, the ways to handle it, and the problems associated have changed drastically over decades.
How much waste an Indian generates on an average?
It is also estimated that solid waste generation in small, medium and large cities and towns is about 0.1 Kg, 0.3-0.4 Kg and 0.5 Kg per capita per day respectively. (Akolkar, 2002)
According to a study conducted in Delhi jointly by Srishti, an NGO and TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), people in higher income brackets having monthly income of Rs. 8,000 and above, generate about 800 gm of waste per capita everyday, whereas, people living on a monthly income of Rs. 2,000 generate just 200 gm of waste per day – that’s four times less!
What is the composition of solid waste in India?
According to CPCB, the composition of garbage in India indicates low organic matter and high ash or dust contents. It has been estimated that recyclable content in solid waste varies from 13% to 20% and compostable material is about 80-85%. The typical composition of MSW is vegetable and leaves (40.14%), grass (3.80%), paper (0.81%), plastic (0.62%), glass (0.44%), metal (0.64%), stones/ash (41.81%) and Miscellaneous (11.73%) (CPCB, 2002)
Do my parents and grandparents also generate waste?
Yes they did but the type of waste they generates was more organic in nature and was easily decomposable. Also the quantity of waste generated by them was comparatively less than us.
Do I generate more waste or my grandparents?
Yes we do generate more waste than them. Do you know that our population is growing at a rate of 4.5% whereas waste generation is growing at a rate of 8%.
What happens to waste when I it leaves from my door step?
In most household in cities like Delhi in India wastes like kitchen waste, garden waste, used packaging, old polythenes bags, goes to dustbins. Other wastes like old plastic bottles, old newspapers, and magazines sold to Kabadiwala. From Kabadiwala it goes directly to recyclers. Whereas from household dustbins, private sweepers appointed by individual household or by resident welfare associations either collect it or in some parts Municipal Karamcharis come to collect waste from individual houses. At present there are more than 38,000 safai karamcharis i.e. around 3.3 safai karamchari’s for every 1000 Delhiites, which is very close to the WHO standards. Still half of the waste remains uncollected. Waste is then transported through carts or manually either to the municipal dallows (dump area covered with roofs), presently 798 in number or to the municipal dustbins (dump areas with four walls), presently 1,428 in number or to the municipal open dumps (dump areas with no walls), presently 176 in number. From here enters the rag picker's in into the waste management scenario, they segregate the recyclables like plastic bags, metal cans, wire, paper, plastic items etc. and sell it either to kabadiwala or directly to the recyclers. At present there are around 100,000 ragpicker’s in Delhi. After this waste is either manually or with help of loaders is loaded into trucks, which is then transported to landfills. In Delhi around 98% of the garbage collected by municipal bodies goes to the landfills. Rest 2% goes to centralize composting plants for composting.
What is waste segregation?
Segregation of waste means separating and involves the separate collection of different materials under different categories. It is a very important activity that must be done before throwing in dustbin. The categories can be:
On basis of type:
1. Condition: dry, wet and toxic
ü Dry waste like plastic, paper, metal, and glass sold to Kabadiwala and other scraps of paper, plastic and metals that are not taken up by kabadiwala. It is dry in its nature so called dry waste.
ü Wet like left over vegetables, fruit and vegetable peels, garden waste etc. these can be composted at home.
ü Toxic like old medicines, spray cans for mosquitoes and insects, pesticides containers, goodnight tablets, bathroom cleaners and disinfectants. These can harm the environment if thrown with other wastes like wet and dry so should be segregated before disposal.
2. Nature: biodegradable and non-biodegradable
ü Biodegradable material that can be decomposed by microorganisms to become a part of nature. It is organic in nature. e.g. vegetable and fruit peels, left over vegetables, garden waste etc.
ü Non-biodegradable material is the one that can’t be decomposed by microorganisms to become a part of nature. It is inorganic in nature. It includes recyclables like glass, plastic’ metals and toxic wastes like old medicines, spray cans for mosquitoes and insects, pesticides containers, goodnight tablets, bathroom cleaners and disinfectants.
3. Organic, recyclable and toxic waste
ü Organic waste: It is organic in nature. e.g. vegetable and fruit peels, left over vegetables, garden waste etc.
ü Recyclables: it includes all those waste that can be recycled to make new products out of the old ones like plastic, metal, paper, glass wastes.
ü Toxic waste: Toxic like old medicines, spray cans for mosquitoes and insects, pesticides containers, goodnight tablets, bathroom cleaners and disinfectants. These can harm the environment if thrown with other wastes like wet and dry so should be segregated before disposal.
4. Another classification Dustbin and kabadiwala
ü Waste that is thrown in dustbin and is collected by municipality
ü The waste that is sold to kabadiwala for recycling
Is burning of dry leaves a good method of disposal?
No because
ü It leads to air pollution
ü Against the municipal laws
ü Manure can be generated from these leaves which otherwise is wasted in burning
Is burning of leaves against the municipal laws?
Yes it is against the law.
Why should I segregate waste?
Segregation helps in better management of waste. It assists in recycling as it enables more waste to be recycled. It also reduces amount of waste going to landfills, thus reduces pressure on them.
What is recycling?
It is separation and collection of waste product, reprocessing and remanufacturing of material, it is collection, reprocessing and remanufacturing and reusing the manufactured product. Keep items, which can be recycled to be given to ragpicker or itinerant waste pickers (kabadiwalas) or to agents.
What all can I recycle?
You can recycle paper, newspaper, old books, notebooks, magazines, old glass or plastic bottles, cardboard, aluminium foil, used packaging, metal, glass or plastic containers, almost everything. In India almost 90% of waste we generate is recycled either in the formal or in the informal sector.
What are the benefits of Recycling?
ü Less use of virgin material
ü Less chemicals use in manufacturing of new products from recycling as compare to manufacturing from a raw source
ü Less energy is used
ü Save landfill space
ü Products reduce the need to mine, transport and manufacture natural resources to manufacture new ones
ü Creates less pollution both land and water
What are the four R’s of waste management?
Refuse
Refuse to buy products with extra packaging or made from material whose breakdown lead to adverse effect on of the ecosystem.
Reduce
Reduce the amount of garbage generated. Making sure that whatever iseing thrown is being done after it has been used, and reused to maximum extent possible.
Reuse
Reuse every item to its maximum after properly cleaning it or for an appropriate use only.
Recycle
It is separation and collection of waste product, reprocessing and remanufacturing of material, it is collection, reprocessing and remanufacturing and reusing the manufactured product. Keep items, which can be recycled to be given to ragpicker or itinerant waste pickers (kabadiwalas) or to agents.
What is the best way to dispose paper waste?
Sell it to kabadiwala for recycling as we get new products from old
How to minimize the usage of paper?
ü Extra package products
ü Purchase that much is required
ü Purchase products with minimal packaging.
ü Refuse disposable products as far as possible
ü Edit on computer before printing in bulk
ü Use both sides of paper for writing
ü Use both sides of paper
ü Use recycled paper
ü Pass on the books and magazines to others when they are no use to you
ü Reuse scrap paper and envelops
ü Do not through any paper in bin collect them and sell it to kabadiwala
What is the best way to dispose plastic waste?
Sell it to kabadiwala for recycling as we get new products from old saving virgin material, energy, cost of transportation and production, and reducing pollution
How to minimize the usage of plastic?
ü Refuse to buy over packed products Purchase that much is required
ü Refuse more of disposable products as far as possible
ü Refuse the polybags carry your own bags (jute or cloth) while going for shopping
ü Refuse non-refillable pens and pencils
ü Avoid flimsy and dark colored plastic carry bags
ü Reduce the use of non-recyclable plastics
ü Buy in bulk so less packaging is used
ü Instead of using plastic pencil-boxes prefer using cloth kits
ü Prefer packaging in metal as they decompose early than plastic.
ü Reuse plastic bottles and jars
ü Use recyclable plastic
ü Purchase products in refillable containers Circulate the plastic toys to someone younger
What the best way to dispose metal waste?
Sell it to kabadiwala for recycling as we get new products from old saving virgin material, energy, cost of transportation and production, and reducing pollution
How to minimize the usage of metals?
ü Cardboard packaging can be used wherever possible
ü Purchase only that much is required
ü Use of biodegradable material as far as possible
ü Instead of purchasing drinks in cans buy in glass bottles as they go back to company for refilling
ü Buy in bulk so less packaging is used
ü Reuse empty boxes and jars for refilling
ü Reuse aluminium foils
ü Purchase products in refillable containers
What the best way to dispose glass waste?
Sell it to kabadiwala for recycling as we get new products from old
How to minimize the usage of glass?
By Refuse
ü Refuse colored glasses
ü Refuse non-recyclable glass
ü Purchase that much is required
ü Use biodegradable material as far as possible
ü Buy in bulk so that less packaging is used
ü Reuse beer and glass bottles and jars
ü Purchase products in refillable containers
Is Packaging responsible for waste generation?
Now-a-days more and more packaging can be seen on products for sale. More of disposable products are available in market. Almost all the products are packed which even don’t require packaging. Although packaging is an integral part of products to be sold in market as it provides information about the product, is required for preservation of products. But do you think amount of packing used now days is required?
Let’s take an example you go to buy a dress for you. The dress is wrapped in plastic bag to prevent it from getting dirty. Then the shopkeeper puts it in a cardboard box carrying either the brand name or shop’s name. Then it is again put in a poly bag or paper bag carrying the shop’s name. Once you wear the dress you discard all the three packaging. Similar is the case for other products too. So there is need for intelligent buying.
How to be an intelligent buyer?
ü Purchase products in bulk if possible.
ü Avoid unnecessary packaging wherever possible
ü Purchase products in refillable containers.
ü Refuse the poly bags carry your own bags (jute or cloth bags) while going for shopping
ü Refuse to buy over packed products.