Waste management is the term used to describe all processes involved with managing waste from the generation of it through its disposal. It includes collecting, transporting, storing and treating waste materials as well as regulating the laws and technologies that are associated with it. Waste management also focuses on reducing the adverse effects of waste on human health, environment and planetary resources.
Most countries are currently experiencing the problems of waste management in one form or another. This is due to lack of money, technical knowledge and public attitude. The worst affected are third world countries although industrialised nations also have problems in some places.
Many people have a negative perception of waste, but if it is handled correctly and properly it can be an advantage to the economy and society as a whole. Increasing awareness of the benefits of waste management can help to change this perception and promote sustainable practices. In order to achieve this, education is essential. This can be achieved by incorporating environmental education into the school curriculum, starting from primary/elementary schools. Other methods of increasing awareness include letters to the editor and articles in newspapers/magazines, speeches on radio and local TV programmes and messages in church and mosque bulletins.
Creating markets for recycled material is a very important part of waste management. This is because it not only reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfills but it can also create jobs and business opportunities for local people. In addition, it can reduce the cost of waste management by enabling the reuse of otherwise obsolete and discarded materials.
This method of converting waste into something useful is very effective on domestic levels but it can be applied on farms as well. Household waste such as vegetable peels and food scraps are often fed to animals like hamsters, rabbits, and pigs as it is safe for them to eat. Larger animal waste such as meat bones can be thrown away in an incinerator or a destructor furnace for destruction.
An important component of waste management is preventing the spread of disease. This can be done by separating waste types and making sure that receptacles are used for the appropriate type of waste. This method can also prevent waste from mixing with other waste products, which could potentially cause harm to the environment and people.
Pre-incident waste management planning is important to ensure that communities are prepared for waste management issues arising from any incident. This can be done in a variety of ways, including developing training for emergency response personnel and ensuring that they have the right equipment to handle waste safely. This can help to minimize the impact of an incident on the community and allow for a faster and less costly recovery to pre-incident conditions. Waste management