BEVAE-181 Solved Assignment 2024-2025 | What is Disposal of waste? Why segregation of waste is needed?

BEVAE-181 Solved Assignment 2024-2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES | IGNOU

Q. What is Disposal of Waste? Why Segregation of Waste is Needed?

Waste is generated in every home, office, market, industry, and public place due to our day-to-day activities. It includes everything we discard—food remains, plastic items, paper, glass, electronic items, sanitary waste, and industrial byproducts.

With rising population and urbanization, waste management has become a critical issue for health, hygiene, and the environment. Among all the steps in the waste management process, waste disposal and segregation play vital roles.

1. What is Disposal of Waste?

Waste disposal refers to the safe and environmentally sound process of getting rid of waste materials once they are no longer useful. It involves various methods of collecting, transporting, treating, and finally disposing of waste in such a way that it does not harm human health or nature.

Common Methods of Waste Disposal:

1. Landfilling:

   • Waste is dumped in low-lying open areas and covered with soil.

   • Common in cities but not sustainable due to limited space and pollution risks.

2. Incineration:

   • Burning of waste at high temperatures to reduce volume and destroy harmful substances.

   • Can produce energy but also releases toxic gases if not controlled properly.

3. Composting:

   • Biodegradable waste is decomposed naturally into nutrient-rich manure.

   • Eco-friendly method widely used for kitchen and garden waste.

4. Recycling:

   • Processing waste materials like plastic, metal, and paper into new usable products.

   • Saves energy and resources.

5. Vermicomposting:

   • Use of earthworms to convert organic waste into rich compost.

6. Bio-methanation:

   • Conversion of organic waste into biogas using anaerobic bacteria.

2. What is Waste Segregation?

Segregation of waste means separating waste at its source into different categories—usually biodegradable (wet) and non-biodegradable (dry), and hazardous waste.

This step is crucial before disposal, treatment, or recycling. Segregation helps in managing waste efficiently, reducing pollution, and ensuring proper disposal.

3. Categories of Waste for Segregation

4. Why is Waste Segregation Needed?

a) Helps in Efficient Recycling

• Dry waste like plastic, paper, and metal can be recycled only if it’s not mixed with wet or hazardous waste.

• Proper segregation prevents contamination and improves recycling efficiency.

b) Reduces Pollution

• Mixing all types of waste leads to land, air, and water pollution.

• Hazardous and medical waste, if mixed with general waste, can cause serious health risks.

c) Facilitates Composting

• Wet waste like kitchen leftovers and garden waste can be composted at home or community levels.

• Helps produce organic manure and reduces the burden on landfill sites.

d) Reduces Landfill Load

• Segregation minimizes the amount of waste going to landfills.

• It helps extend landfill life and reduces harmful gases like methane.

e) Protects Sanitation Workers

• When waste is mixed, sanitation workers are exposed to sharp objects, infections, or toxic substances.

• Segregated waste makes collection and handling safer.

f) Saves Resources and Energy

• Recycling segregated waste helps in conserving natural resources like water, trees, minerals, and energy.

g) Fulfills Legal and Civic Responsibility

• As per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, all citizens are legally required to segregate waste at source.

• Segregation helps municipalities manage waste more effectively.

5. Examples of How Segregation Helps

1. Urban Household Composting:

   • A family that separates kitchen waste and composts it can reduce their garbage output by over 50%.

2. School Waste Projects:

   • Many schools run waste segregation drives and earn money by selling recyclable waste.

3. Bio-gas Plants:

   • Communities that segregate organic waste can run bio-gas units for cooking and electricity.

4. Swachh Bharat Campaign:

   • Promoted waste segregation as a key step to achieving cleanliness and hygiene.

6. How Can We Practice Waste Segregation at Home?

• Use separate dustbins for wet and dry waste (Green for wet, Blue for dry).

• Mark red or yellow bins for sanitary or biomedical waste.

• Do not mix food waste with plastic wrappers or glass bottles.

• Encourage children and family members to participate in sorting.

• Hand over e-waste only to authorized collectors or recyclers.

• Compost biodegradable waste in a pit, bin, or vermicompost unit.

7. Challenges in Waste Segregation

Conclusion

Waste disposal and segregation are not just the responsibility of the government or municipal corporations, but also of every citizen. Segregating waste at the source is the first and most important step in efficient waste management. It helps in reducing pollution, saving resources, generating compost, and protecting health.

With simple habits like using separate bins, composting at home, and not littering, we can contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment. Let us all make waste segregation a daily practice and inspire others to follow the same.