NCERT Textbook: Waste Management | Health and Physical Education for Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


10.1   IntroductIon We all observe how waste is generated in our homes and 
neighbourhood and how it is disposed of. The disposal of 
waste has been done in a haphazard manner since ages, 
be it in villages, towns or cities. But today waste generation 
and disposal has become a matter of concern owing to the 
enormous increase in population, the changes in our lifestyles 
and consumption patterns, huge expansion of industries, 
transport, communication and commercial infrastructures 
and unrestrained use of modern technology. In fact, waste 
management has emerged as a serious challenge having major 
implications not only for human health and social life but also 
for the environment.
It is in this context that this 
chapter deals with different 
dimensions of waste management. 
The focus in this chapter, is on solid 
waste disposal.
10.2   SolId WaSte What do we mean by solid waste? 
Almost everything that we use 
degenerates and loses its utility 
over a period of time. Many things 
become unusable after we use them 
only once. We then throw them 
away. Everything that we discard 
after it loses its usability is known 
as solid waste or garbage. There 
are different sources from where 
solid waste or garbage is generated 
everyday from individual households 
(domestic waste), and from industries 
and commercial establishments. 
However, all such wastes are not 
uniform in nature. Broadly speaking, 
solid wastes can be divided into two 
distinct categories biodegradable 
and non-biodegradable waste.
Waste Management
10
a ctIvIty 10.1
Bring some waste materials from home. This 
can be kitchen waste (for example, vegetable 
peels, used tea leaves, some food leftovers) and 
discarded articles of use, such as empty jars 
of plastic or/and glass, used paper, torn cloth 
etc. 
•	 Bury those items in the school garden, or 
in a bucket or flower pot, and cover them 
with sufficient soil. 
•	 Leave the items buried for about three 
weeks after which take those items out 
for review. 
•	 You will find that certain materials 
have changed their form, i.e. they have 
decayed, decomposed or are in the 
process of decomposition. On the other 
hand, some other materials are almost in 
the same form. 
•	 Those materials that have decayed or 
decomposed are biodegradable materials, 
whereas, those in which there was no 
change are non-biodegradable materials. 
•	 Think about the reasons of this variation 
and write.
Page 2


10.1   IntroductIon We all observe how waste is generated in our homes and 
neighbourhood and how it is disposed of. The disposal of 
waste has been done in a haphazard manner since ages, 
be it in villages, towns or cities. But today waste generation 
and disposal has become a matter of concern owing to the 
enormous increase in population, the changes in our lifestyles 
and consumption patterns, huge expansion of industries, 
transport, communication and commercial infrastructures 
and unrestrained use of modern technology. In fact, waste 
management has emerged as a serious challenge having major 
implications not only for human health and social life but also 
for the environment.
It is in this context that this 
chapter deals with different 
dimensions of waste management. 
The focus in this chapter, is on solid 
waste disposal.
10.2   SolId WaSte What do we mean by solid waste? 
Almost everything that we use 
degenerates and loses its utility 
over a period of time. Many things 
become unusable after we use them 
only once. We then throw them 
away. Everything that we discard 
after it loses its usability is known 
as solid waste or garbage. There 
are different sources from where 
solid waste or garbage is generated 
everyday from individual households 
(domestic waste), and from industries 
and commercial establishments. 
However, all such wastes are not 
uniform in nature. Broadly speaking, 
solid wastes can be divided into two 
distinct categories biodegradable 
and non-biodegradable waste.
Waste Management
10
a ctIvIty 10.1
Bring some waste materials from home. This 
can be kitchen waste (for example, vegetable 
peels, used tea leaves, some food leftovers) and 
discarded articles of use, such as empty jars 
of plastic or/and glass, used paper, torn cloth 
etc. 
•	 Bury those items in the school garden, or 
in a bucket or flower pot, and cover them 
with sufficient soil. 
•	 Leave the items buried for about three 
weeks after which take those items out 
for review. 
•	 You will find that certain materials 
have changed their form, i.e. they have 
decayed, decomposed or are in the 
process of decomposition. On the other 
hand, some other materials are almost in 
the same form. 
•	 Those materials that have decayed or 
decomposed are biodegradable materials, 
whereas, those in which there was no 
change are non-biodegradable materials. 
•	 Think about the reasons of this variation 
and write.
 Health and Physical Education — Class IX
10.2.1 Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Waste 
Let us understand how biodegradable wastes 
are different from non-biodegradable wastes by 
conducting the following activity.
We define biodegradable materials as those 
substances made of organic matter, such as plant 
and animal matter, that can be easily broken down 
by nature. For example, vegetable peels and other 
kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, paper, 
wood, etc.
Non-biodegradable materials are those materials, 
which cannot be broken down easily, and retain their 
form for a long period of time. For example, metals, 
tin, glass, plastics etc.
10.3 SolId WaSte d ISpoSal 
The garbage that we generate every day has not only increased 
in volume phenomenally, but has also changed its composition 
due to changes in our lifestyles and consumption patterns. For 
instance, there is now an increasing use of non-biodegradable 
materials such as plastics, metals and glass, specifically in 
urban areas. 
Technological advancement has further brought in an 
increasing use of electronic items and gadgets. These are useful 
for us, but when discarded (known as E-Waste) they can be 
harmful to the environment and human health, particularly 
for the workers associated with this occupation.
In addition, we seem to have lost our aesthetic and civic 
sense, and carelessly litter garbage around on the roads, in the 
market-place, in open drains, ponds, rivers, seas, and so on. 
In fact, we keep throwing a lot of garbage everyday. Have you 
ever thought what will happen if the garbage is not removed 
from our homes and surroundings? Where does this garbage 
ultimately go and what is done with it?  If proper measures 
for disposal and sanitation are not followed, how will garbage 
affect our environment and health?
10.3.1 Consequences of Solid Waste Disposal 
In the cities and towns, collection of garbage is the responsibility 
of the respective municipalities. The garbage then goes through 
a process of segregation, treatment and final disposal in the 
landfills. This process of segregation in our country is still 
done manually by rag pickers. (See Fig. 10.1). In this process, 
materials that can be recycled are separated, while toxic wastes 
are sorted out and kept separately. This process of segregation 
ensures that the amount of solid waste, which is ultimately 
disposed of in the landfills, is reduced substantially.
Box 10.1
In your history textbook 
you must have studied how 
archaeologists record the lives 
of ancient societies through the 
material remains left behind 
by them. These materials give 
us a glimpse of how people 
lived, what they ate and other 
aspects of their lives. Why do 
you think these materials have 
still retained their form? 
Box 10.2
As a reference, you 
can look into the 
Science textbook 
(Class VII), for the 
decomposition 
period of both bio-
degradable and 
non-biodegradable 
materials. 
Page 3


10.1   IntroductIon We all observe how waste is generated in our homes and 
neighbourhood and how it is disposed of. The disposal of 
waste has been done in a haphazard manner since ages, 
be it in villages, towns or cities. But today waste generation 
and disposal has become a matter of concern owing to the 
enormous increase in population, the changes in our lifestyles 
and consumption patterns, huge expansion of industries, 
transport, communication and commercial infrastructures 
and unrestrained use of modern technology. In fact, waste 
management has emerged as a serious challenge having major 
implications not only for human health and social life but also 
for the environment.
It is in this context that this 
chapter deals with different 
dimensions of waste management. 
The focus in this chapter, is on solid 
waste disposal.
10.2   SolId WaSte What do we mean by solid waste? 
Almost everything that we use 
degenerates and loses its utility 
over a period of time. Many things 
become unusable after we use them 
only once. We then throw them 
away. Everything that we discard 
after it loses its usability is known 
as solid waste or garbage. There 
are different sources from where 
solid waste or garbage is generated 
everyday from individual households 
(domestic waste), and from industries 
and commercial establishments. 
However, all such wastes are not 
uniform in nature. Broadly speaking, 
solid wastes can be divided into two 
distinct categories biodegradable 
and non-biodegradable waste.
Waste Management
10
a ctIvIty 10.1
Bring some waste materials from home. This 
can be kitchen waste (for example, vegetable 
peels, used tea leaves, some food leftovers) and 
discarded articles of use, such as empty jars 
of plastic or/and glass, used paper, torn cloth 
etc. 
•	 Bury those items in the school garden, or 
in a bucket or flower pot, and cover them 
with sufficient soil. 
•	 Leave the items buried for about three 
weeks after which take those items out 
for review. 
•	 You will find that certain materials 
have changed their form, i.e. they have 
decayed, decomposed or are in the 
process of decomposition. On the other 
hand, some other materials are almost in 
the same form. 
•	 Those materials that have decayed or 
decomposed are biodegradable materials, 
whereas, those in which there was no 
change are non-biodegradable materials. 
•	 Think about the reasons of this variation 
and write.
 Health and Physical Education — Class IX
10.2.1 Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Waste 
Let us understand how biodegradable wastes 
are different from non-biodegradable wastes by 
conducting the following activity.
We define biodegradable materials as those 
substances made of organic matter, such as plant 
and animal matter, that can be easily broken down 
by nature. For example, vegetable peels and other 
kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, paper, 
wood, etc.
Non-biodegradable materials are those materials, 
which cannot be broken down easily, and retain their 
form for a long period of time. For example, metals, 
tin, glass, plastics etc.
10.3 SolId WaSte d ISpoSal 
The garbage that we generate every day has not only increased 
in volume phenomenally, but has also changed its composition 
due to changes in our lifestyles and consumption patterns. For 
instance, there is now an increasing use of non-biodegradable 
materials such as plastics, metals and glass, specifically in 
urban areas. 
Technological advancement has further brought in an 
increasing use of electronic items and gadgets. These are useful 
for us, but when discarded (known as E-Waste) they can be 
harmful to the environment and human health, particularly 
for the workers associated with this occupation.
In addition, we seem to have lost our aesthetic and civic 
sense, and carelessly litter garbage around on the roads, in the 
market-place, in open drains, ponds, rivers, seas, and so on. 
In fact, we keep throwing a lot of garbage everyday. Have you 
ever thought what will happen if the garbage is not removed 
from our homes and surroundings? Where does this garbage 
ultimately go and what is done with it?  If proper measures 
for disposal and sanitation are not followed, how will garbage 
affect our environment and health?
10.3.1 Consequences of Solid Waste Disposal 
In the cities and towns, collection of garbage is the responsibility 
of the respective municipalities. The garbage then goes through 
a process of segregation, treatment and final disposal in the 
landfills. This process of segregation in our country is still 
done manually by rag pickers. (See Fig. 10.1). In this process, 
materials that can be recycled are separated, while toxic wastes 
are sorted out and kept separately. This process of segregation 
ensures that the amount of solid waste, which is ultimately 
disposed of in the landfills, is reduced substantially.
Box 10.1
In your history textbook 
you must have studied how 
archaeologists record the lives 
of ancient societies through the 
material remains left behind 
by them. These materials give 
us a glimpse of how people 
lived, what they ate and other 
aspects of their lives. Why do 
you think these materials have 
still retained their form? 
Box 10.2
As a reference, you 
can look into the 
Science textbook 
(Class VII), for the 
decomposition 
period of both bio-
degradable and 
non-biodegradable 
materials. 
Waste Management 
However, with the enormous volume of waste that is being 
generated now-a-days, the concerned authorities are finding it 
difficult to deal with this problem. Most often we find that all 
sorts of solid wastes are dumped together in the landfills, which 
in many places, have already overreached its accumulation 
level. Moreover, groundwater in the immediate vicinity of such 
landfill sites is prone to contamination through continuous 
contact with the deposited waste. (Details of the structure of 
landfills have already been given in the Science textbook of 
Class VI). 
In most of the rural areas, people have to deal with the 
disposal of household wastes themselves. A common method 
is the burning of solid wastes. This may be a convenient 
method, but is not conducive either to the environment or to 
our health, as it causes air pollution. Many of the villages do 
practise composting which is the desirable method. 
10.3.2 Effects of Undisposed or Unattended Garbage
Open and unattended garbage is a common sight in the 
market, streets or in the vicinity of our homes. Most often, it 
Fig. 10.1  : A rag picker segregating materials from garbage dump
Page 4


10.1   IntroductIon We all observe how waste is generated in our homes and 
neighbourhood and how it is disposed of. The disposal of 
waste has been done in a haphazard manner since ages, 
be it in villages, towns or cities. But today waste generation 
and disposal has become a matter of concern owing to the 
enormous increase in population, the changes in our lifestyles 
and consumption patterns, huge expansion of industries, 
transport, communication and commercial infrastructures 
and unrestrained use of modern technology. In fact, waste 
management has emerged as a serious challenge having major 
implications not only for human health and social life but also 
for the environment.
It is in this context that this 
chapter deals with different 
dimensions of waste management. 
The focus in this chapter, is on solid 
waste disposal.
10.2   SolId WaSte What do we mean by solid waste? 
Almost everything that we use 
degenerates and loses its utility 
over a period of time. Many things 
become unusable after we use them 
only once. We then throw them 
away. Everything that we discard 
after it loses its usability is known 
as solid waste or garbage. There 
are different sources from where 
solid waste or garbage is generated 
everyday from individual households 
(domestic waste), and from industries 
and commercial establishments. 
However, all such wastes are not 
uniform in nature. Broadly speaking, 
solid wastes can be divided into two 
distinct categories biodegradable 
and non-biodegradable waste.
Waste Management
10
a ctIvIty 10.1
Bring some waste materials from home. This 
can be kitchen waste (for example, vegetable 
peels, used tea leaves, some food leftovers) and 
discarded articles of use, such as empty jars 
of plastic or/and glass, used paper, torn cloth 
etc. 
•	 Bury those items in the school garden, or 
in a bucket or flower pot, and cover them 
with sufficient soil. 
•	 Leave the items buried for about three 
weeks after which take those items out 
for review. 
•	 You will find that certain materials 
have changed their form, i.e. they have 
decayed, decomposed or are in the 
process of decomposition. On the other 
hand, some other materials are almost in 
the same form. 
•	 Those materials that have decayed or 
decomposed are biodegradable materials, 
whereas, those in which there was no 
change are non-biodegradable materials. 
•	 Think about the reasons of this variation 
and write.
 Health and Physical Education — Class IX
10.2.1 Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Waste 
Let us understand how biodegradable wastes 
are different from non-biodegradable wastes by 
conducting the following activity.
We define biodegradable materials as those 
substances made of organic matter, such as plant 
and animal matter, that can be easily broken down 
by nature. For example, vegetable peels and other 
kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, paper, 
wood, etc.
Non-biodegradable materials are those materials, 
which cannot be broken down easily, and retain their 
form for a long period of time. For example, metals, 
tin, glass, plastics etc.
10.3 SolId WaSte d ISpoSal 
The garbage that we generate every day has not only increased 
in volume phenomenally, but has also changed its composition 
due to changes in our lifestyles and consumption patterns. For 
instance, there is now an increasing use of non-biodegradable 
materials such as plastics, metals and glass, specifically in 
urban areas. 
Technological advancement has further brought in an 
increasing use of electronic items and gadgets. These are useful 
for us, but when discarded (known as E-Waste) they can be 
harmful to the environment and human health, particularly 
for the workers associated with this occupation.
In addition, we seem to have lost our aesthetic and civic 
sense, and carelessly litter garbage around on the roads, in the 
market-place, in open drains, ponds, rivers, seas, and so on. 
In fact, we keep throwing a lot of garbage everyday. Have you 
ever thought what will happen if the garbage is not removed 
from our homes and surroundings? Where does this garbage 
ultimately go and what is done with it?  If proper measures 
for disposal and sanitation are not followed, how will garbage 
affect our environment and health?
10.3.1 Consequences of Solid Waste Disposal 
In the cities and towns, collection of garbage is the responsibility 
of the respective municipalities. The garbage then goes through 
a process of segregation, treatment and final disposal in the 
landfills. This process of segregation in our country is still 
done manually by rag pickers. (See Fig. 10.1). In this process, 
materials that can be recycled are separated, while toxic wastes 
are sorted out and kept separately. This process of segregation 
ensures that the amount of solid waste, which is ultimately 
disposed of in the landfills, is reduced substantially.
Box 10.1
In your history textbook 
you must have studied how 
archaeologists record the lives 
of ancient societies through the 
material remains left behind 
by them. These materials give 
us a glimpse of how people 
lived, what they ate and other 
aspects of their lives. Why do 
you think these materials have 
still retained their form? 
Box 10.2
As a reference, you 
can look into the 
Science textbook 
(Class VII), for the 
decomposition 
period of both bio-
degradable and 
non-biodegradable 
materials. 
Waste Management 
However, with the enormous volume of waste that is being 
generated now-a-days, the concerned authorities are finding it 
difficult to deal with this problem. Most often we find that all 
sorts of solid wastes are dumped together in the landfills, which 
in many places, have already overreached its accumulation 
level. Moreover, groundwater in the immediate vicinity of such 
landfill sites is prone to contamination through continuous 
contact with the deposited waste. (Details of the structure of 
landfills have already been given in the Science textbook of 
Class VI). 
In most of the rural areas, people have to deal with the 
disposal of household wastes themselves. A common method 
is the burning of solid wastes. This may be a convenient 
method, but is not conducive either to the environment or to 
our health, as it causes air pollution. Many of the villages do 
practise composting which is the desirable method. 
10.3.2 Effects of Undisposed or Unattended Garbage
Open and unattended garbage is a common sight in the 
market, streets or in the vicinity of our homes. Most often, it 
Fig. 10.1  : A rag picker segregating materials from garbage dump
 Health and Physical Education — Class IX
emits such a foul smell that we have to 
cover our noses with a cloth. Have you 
ever stopped to think how unattended 
garbage can affect our health and our 
environment?  If you observe carefully, 
you will notice that when garbage is 
allowed to collect in the open for a 
long time, it attracts flies, cockroaches 
and other insects. It also attracts 
rats and stray dogs. In fact, moist or 
fermenting garbage, particularly when 
organic waste such as kitchen waste 
is thrown, becomes a perfect breeding 
place for flies. When we eat the food, 
which has been contaminated by these 
flies, we are likely to fall ill. Water and 
food borne diseases such as dysentery, 
cholera and gastroenteritis are some of 
the diseases that can be transmitted 
by flies. Moreover, since accumulated 
garbage emits foul smell, it also causes 
air pollution.
Table 10.1 Types of waste
Toxic Waste E-Waste Hospital Waste or 
Soiled Waste
Toxic waste 
causes 
serious 
problem to 
our health 
and to the 
environment. 
Examples: 
dried paint, 
old bulbs, old 
batteries.
E-waste consists of 
dismantled parts of 
computers, electronic 
appliances, mobile 
phones, TV, floppy 
discs, pen drives. In 
India E-wastes are 
dumped into unsafe 
and unauthorised 
dumping yards 
where they are 
dismantled manually 
and unscientifically, 
causing great 
environmental and 
health risks as they 
contain dangerous 
contaminants.
Consists of various 
components 
containing infected 
human tissues or 
body fluids and are 
called bio-hazardous. 
The needles, surgical 
knives, and other 
surgical instruments 
called ‘sharps’ have 
to be disposed of 
carefully, but many a 
time we find this does 
not happen. Being 
pricked with infected 
needles can transmit 
diseases like HIV, 
Hepatitis B and C.
Indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic can clog the 
drains (Fig 10.2). Moreover, during the rainy season, the waste 
may flow along with the rainwater to nearby rivers and other 
Fig. 10.2 : Discarded plastic bottles in an open drain
Page 5


10.1   IntroductIon We all observe how waste is generated in our homes and 
neighbourhood and how it is disposed of. The disposal of 
waste has been done in a haphazard manner since ages, 
be it in villages, towns or cities. But today waste generation 
and disposal has become a matter of concern owing to the 
enormous increase in population, the changes in our lifestyles 
and consumption patterns, huge expansion of industries, 
transport, communication and commercial infrastructures 
and unrestrained use of modern technology. In fact, waste 
management has emerged as a serious challenge having major 
implications not only for human health and social life but also 
for the environment.
It is in this context that this 
chapter deals with different 
dimensions of waste management. 
The focus in this chapter, is on solid 
waste disposal.
10.2   SolId WaSte What do we mean by solid waste? 
Almost everything that we use 
degenerates and loses its utility 
over a period of time. Many things 
become unusable after we use them 
only once. We then throw them 
away. Everything that we discard 
after it loses its usability is known 
as solid waste or garbage. There 
are different sources from where 
solid waste or garbage is generated 
everyday from individual households 
(domestic waste), and from industries 
and commercial establishments. 
However, all such wastes are not 
uniform in nature. Broadly speaking, 
solid wastes can be divided into two 
distinct categories biodegradable 
and non-biodegradable waste.
Waste Management
10
a ctIvIty 10.1
Bring some waste materials from home. This 
can be kitchen waste (for example, vegetable 
peels, used tea leaves, some food leftovers) and 
discarded articles of use, such as empty jars 
of plastic or/and glass, used paper, torn cloth 
etc. 
•	 Bury those items in the school garden, or 
in a bucket or flower pot, and cover them 
with sufficient soil. 
•	 Leave the items buried for about three 
weeks after which take those items out 
for review. 
•	 You will find that certain materials 
have changed their form, i.e. they have 
decayed, decomposed or are in the 
process of decomposition. On the other 
hand, some other materials are almost in 
the same form. 
•	 Those materials that have decayed or 
decomposed are biodegradable materials, 
whereas, those in which there was no 
change are non-biodegradable materials. 
•	 Think about the reasons of this variation 
and write.
 Health and Physical Education — Class IX
10.2.1 Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Waste 
Let us understand how biodegradable wastes 
are different from non-biodegradable wastes by 
conducting the following activity.
We define biodegradable materials as those 
substances made of organic matter, such as plant 
and animal matter, that can be easily broken down 
by nature. For example, vegetable peels and other 
kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, paper, 
wood, etc.
Non-biodegradable materials are those materials, 
which cannot be broken down easily, and retain their 
form for a long period of time. For example, metals, 
tin, glass, plastics etc.
10.3 SolId WaSte d ISpoSal 
The garbage that we generate every day has not only increased 
in volume phenomenally, but has also changed its composition 
due to changes in our lifestyles and consumption patterns. For 
instance, there is now an increasing use of non-biodegradable 
materials such as plastics, metals and glass, specifically in 
urban areas. 
Technological advancement has further brought in an 
increasing use of electronic items and gadgets. These are useful 
for us, but when discarded (known as E-Waste) they can be 
harmful to the environment and human health, particularly 
for the workers associated with this occupation.
In addition, we seem to have lost our aesthetic and civic 
sense, and carelessly litter garbage around on the roads, in the 
market-place, in open drains, ponds, rivers, seas, and so on. 
In fact, we keep throwing a lot of garbage everyday. Have you 
ever thought what will happen if the garbage is not removed 
from our homes and surroundings? Where does this garbage 
ultimately go and what is done with it?  If proper measures 
for disposal and sanitation are not followed, how will garbage 
affect our environment and health?
10.3.1 Consequences of Solid Waste Disposal 
In the cities and towns, collection of garbage is the responsibility 
of the respective municipalities. The garbage then goes through 
a process of segregation, treatment and final disposal in the 
landfills. This process of segregation in our country is still 
done manually by rag pickers. (See Fig. 10.1). In this process, 
materials that can be recycled are separated, while toxic wastes 
are sorted out and kept separately. This process of segregation 
ensures that the amount of solid waste, which is ultimately 
disposed of in the landfills, is reduced substantially.
Box 10.1
In your history textbook 
you must have studied how 
archaeologists record the lives 
of ancient societies through the 
material remains left behind 
by them. These materials give 
us a glimpse of how people 
lived, what they ate and other 
aspects of their lives. Why do 
you think these materials have 
still retained their form? 
Box 10.2
As a reference, you 
can look into the 
Science textbook 
(Class VII), for the 
decomposition 
period of both bio-
degradable and 
non-biodegradable 
materials. 
Waste Management 
However, with the enormous volume of waste that is being 
generated now-a-days, the concerned authorities are finding it 
difficult to deal with this problem. Most often we find that all 
sorts of solid wastes are dumped together in the landfills, which 
in many places, have already overreached its accumulation 
level. Moreover, groundwater in the immediate vicinity of such 
landfill sites is prone to contamination through continuous 
contact with the deposited waste. (Details of the structure of 
landfills have already been given in the Science textbook of 
Class VI). 
In most of the rural areas, people have to deal with the 
disposal of household wastes themselves. A common method 
is the burning of solid wastes. This may be a convenient 
method, but is not conducive either to the environment or to 
our health, as it causes air pollution. Many of the villages do 
practise composting which is the desirable method. 
10.3.2 Effects of Undisposed or Unattended Garbage
Open and unattended garbage is a common sight in the 
market, streets or in the vicinity of our homes. Most often, it 
Fig. 10.1  : A rag picker segregating materials from garbage dump
 Health and Physical Education — Class IX
emits such a foul smell that we have to 
cover our noses with a cloth. Have you 
ever stopped to think how unattended 
garbage can affect our health and our 
environment?  If you observe carefully, 
you will notice that when garbage is 
allowed to collect in the open for a 
long time, it attracts flies, cockroaches 
and other insects. It also attracts 
rats and stray dogs. In fact, moist or 
fermenting garbage, particularly when 
organic waste such as kitchen waste 
is thrown, becomes a perfect breeding 
place for flies. When we eat the food, 
which has been contaminated by these 
flies, we are likely to fall ill. Water and 
food borne diseases such as dysentery, 
cholera and gastroenteritis are some of 
the diseases that can be transmitted 
by flies. Moreover, since accumulated 
garbage emits foul smell, it also causes 
air pollution.
Table 10.1 Types of waste
Toxic Waste E-Waste Hospital Waste or 
Soiled Waste
Toxic waste 
causes 
serious 
problem to 
our health 
and to the 
environment. 
Examples: 
dried paint, 
old bulbs, old 
batteries.
E-waste consists of 
dismantled parts of 
computers, electronic 
appliances, mobile 
phones, TV, floppy 
discs, pen drives. In 
India E-wastes are 
dumped into unsafe 
and unauthorised 
dumping yards 
where they are 
dismantled manually 
and unscientifically, 
causing great 
environmental and 
health risks as they 
contain dangerous 
contaminants.
Consists of various 
components 
containing infected 
human tissues or 
body fluids and are 
called bio-hazardous. 
The needles, surgical 
knives, and other 
surgical instruments 
called ‘sharps’ have 
to be disposed of 
carefully, but many a 
time we find this does 
not happen. Being 
pricked with infected 
needles can transmit 
diseases like HIV, 
Hepatitis B and C.
Indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic can clog the 
drains (Fig 10.2). Moreover, during the rainy season, the waste 
may flow along with the rainwater to nearby rivers and other 
Fig. 10.2 : Discarded plastic bottles in an open drain
Waste Management 
surface water bodies, thereby, polluting them and affecting 
aquatic life. When we drink the polluted and untreated water, 
we succumb to water borne diseases.                 
Carelessly disposed off hospital of waste and e-waste may 
also pose health problems. This is also called hazardous waste.
10.4   WaSte ManageMent and SegregatIon You must have heard the slogan, “Reuse, Recycle, Reduce 
and Refuse.” This slogan is associated with the practice of 
waste segregation and management. Waste segregation and 
management is a process by which we categorise waste products 
and garbage, on the basis 
of what we can reduce, 
reuse and recycle. We have 
discussed earlier that the 
volume of solid waste that 
is generated by us, has 
reached such an alarming 
proportion, that government 
alone cannot deal with it. We 
also have to be aware of the 
environmental and health 
hazards associated with it. 
As it is a problem that has 
emanated from us, we must 
make efforts to resolve it. By 
practising waste segregation 
and management we can 
reduce the volume of solid 
waste.
a ctIvIty 10.2
You may collect information on the following points.
•	 What method of garbage disposal is practised in your community? 
•	 Who collects the garbage from your home?
•	 Do you ever lift the garbage at the community site?
•	 How far is this site from your home?
•	 Have you ever observed flies, mosquitoes, insects and stray animals around the 
garbage disposal site?
•	 What are the methods utilised by the community for final disposal of garbage?
•	 On the basis of the information collected, answer the following questions.
•	 Do you think the method of garbage disposal in your community is appropriate?
•	 If yes, explain how?
•	 If not, what would you suggest to ensure sanitary conditions for garbage disposal 
from your community?
a ctIvIty 10.3
•	 Make a record of all the items that were disposed of 
from your home last week.
•	 Make a rough estimate of each item  of solid waste. 
This estimate can be presented in the Table 10.2. 
•	 Quantity of waste generated at home in a month.
•	 Based on your estimates, give some suggestions on 
how you can reduce the volume of kitchen waste to 
almost zero.
•	 Are there any items in your waste, which can be 
reused or recycled? Make a list of these items.
•	 Make a list of items that cannot be reused or recycled. 
If there are hazardous wastes in these items how will 
you dispose them of?  
•	 You may compare your observations and suggestions 
with your classmates.