Olympiad Notes: Garbage In, Garbage Out - Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

• Garbage, synonymous with "waste product," refers to items that are no longer useful and are discarded.
• In households, garbage is typically collected and placed in dustbins, where various types of waste like tea leaves, diapers, dry leaves, milk polythene, and food waste are indiscriminately mixed together.
• Within this mix of garbage, certain portions can actually be repurposed or reused, necessitating the segregation of waste.
• This chapter delves into strategies for managing garbage effectively to prevent environmental harm, as any detrimental impact on the environment can ultimately affect human beings.

Sources of Garbage:

• Domestic Waste:
  • Examples include kitchen waste, sewage, and unnecessary items.
• Industrial Waste:
  • Examples encompass ashes, coal, paper, and rubber waste.
• Community Waste:
  • Examples arise from hospitals, offices, and shops.
• Agricultural Waste:
  • Examples consist of husk, straw, and fibers.
• Electronic Waste:
  • Examples involve broken computers and electronic goods.

Classification of Waste:

• Waste is categorized into two main types:
  • Biodegradable Waste
  • Non-Biodegradable Waste

Biodegradable Waste

• Biodegradable waste, also known as useful waste, comprises materials that can be recycled or reused.
• Examples of biodegradable waste include fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, paper waste, dry leaves, tea leaves, and dead plants.
• Biodegradable waste can serve various purposes:
  • Tea leaves waste can directly act as a nutrient for plants when added to them.
  • Paper waste finds reuse in art and craft projects.
  • Waste from fruits and vegetables can be utilized as plant manure to enhance growth.
• Examples of biodegradable waste illustrate the diverse ways in which these materials can be repurposed or recycled for beneficial uses.

Non Biodegradable waste

• Non-biodegradable waste refers to materials that cannot be reused and are considered non-useful waste.
• Non-biodegradable waste consists of items such as polythene bags, broken toys, shattered glass, aluminum foil, and pieces of clothing that cannot be easily repurposed.
• Among non-biodegradable materials, plastics stand out as a significant example. While some plastic items, like bottles, can be used multiple times, not all plastic waste can be effectively reused.
• Examples of non-biodegradable waste include aluminum foil, poly bags, broken toys, broken glass, and similar items.
• It is recommended to segregate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste for proper disposal and management practices.
  

Composting

• Composting involves the conversion of biodegradable waste into nutrient-rich manure, benefiting plant growth and soil fertility.
• Manure plays a crucial role in enhancing soil fertility, aiding plant growth by providing essential nutrients back to the soil.
• The step-by-step process of composting:
  • Begin with a large container.
  • Place animal waste, food waste, dry wood chips, and dry leaves into the container, avoiding meat, fish, and dairy products to prevent animal attraction and disruption of microorganisms.
  • Thoroughly mix the ingredients.
  • Introduce some water to create moisture within the waste.
  • Cover the mixture with soil.
  • Care for the compost pile by regularly mixing and adding ingredients.
  • Over time, the result will be dark, earth-smelling soil—the final product known as manure.
  • This nutrient-rich manure can be mixed into the soil where plants are sown.
• Composting represents the process of decomposing and transforming biodegradable waste into beneficial manure for soil enrichment and plant nourishment.

Vermicomposting

• Vermicomposting involves the decomposition of biodegradable waste using earthworms, creating an environment suitable for their survival.
• The step-by-step process of vermicomposting:
  • Begin with a large container.
  • Maintain a moderate temperature within the container.
  • Create a layer of sand to provide a habitat for earthworms.
  • Introduce a small amount of water into the sand to create necessary moisture.
  • Add vegetable waste, animal waste, and dry leaves into the container, avoiding items like salt, oil, pickle, and milk products as they can harm earthworms.
  • Introduce earthworms into the container.
  • Regularly add and mix the waste materials at consistent intervals.
  • Within about a month, notice the population of earthworms doubling.
  • Place vegetable waste in a specific corner of the container, prompting earthworms to migrate towards it.
  • Once vacated, remove the compost from that corner.
  • The resultant product is dark, soil-like vermicompost, which is ready for use.
• Vermicomposting utilizes earthworms to break down biodegradable waste, creating nutrient-rich vermicompost for use in gardening and soil enhancement.

Landfills

• Landfills are designated areas designed to manage non-biodegradable waste, which is collected by sweepers from households.
• The sweeper separates non-biodegradable waste from household garbage and deposits it in low-lying open spaces known as landfills.
• Landfills are open areas constructed above ground level specifically for waste disposal, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
• Once a landfill reaches its capacity, it is covered with a layer of soil.
• Post closure, landfills remain untouched for approximately 20-30 years, during which no construction occurs on these sites.
• Landfills serve as designated spaces for the disposal of non-biodegradable waste, preventing environmental contamination and facilitating proper waste management.

Reducing garbage

• It is imperative to prioritize making our country garbage-free, and there are several actionable steps individuals can take to contribute to a cleaner city.
• Cease the habit of discarding unnecessary items, reducing overall waste generation.
• Engage in the reuse of old paper by utilizing it in creative activities and projects.
• Opt for replacing pen refills rather than disposing of entire pens, promoting a more sustainable approach.
• Embrace the practice of recycling paper, contributing to the conservation of resources and reducing waste accumulation.

Plastics

• Plastic waste falls within the category of non-biodegradable waste, posing severe environmental hazards due to its non-recyclable nature.
• Minimizing the use of plastic is crucial as a complete ban might be unattainable, but reducing its usage is feasible.
• Substitute plastic bags with paper bags to reduce reliance on plastic materials.
• Refrain from disposing of unnecessary plastics; discard them only when essential. For instance, avoid frequently changing pens; instead, opt to change pen refills.
• Discarded plastic bags in garbage pose threats to animals and birds as ingestion can be fatal to them.
• Avoid storing cooked food in plastic containers as the interaction between hot food and plastic can release harmful gases, contributing to health risks such as cancer.
• Limiting the use and disposal of plastics can significantly mitigate environmental pollution and associated health risks.

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse

• Reduce: This involves minimizing the unnecessary consumption of natural resources, such as discouraging activities like needlessly sharpening pencils for amusement.
• Promote the utilization of old newspapers or paper for kids' play activities instead of using fresh paper, reducing unnecessary resource consumption.
• Recycle: This entails repurposing and utilizing natural resources in various forms, such as minimizing polybag usage by reusing the same one multiple times instead of opting for a new polybag each time.
• Emphasize the reuse of containers like jam, sauce, or pickle jars obtained from the market for storage purposes, instead of purchasing new containers repeatedly.
• The three R's—Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse—are instrumental in conserving resources, minimizing waste, and contributing to environmental preservation.