Commercial and residential spaces produce different types of waste. Proper handling, disposal or conversation of the waste is essential to guarantee a clean, safe and healthy environment.
Managing waste involves collecting, transporting and disposing of garbage, sewage, and other waste materials. This encompasses the management of procedures and resources used in taking care of waste; from maintenance to transportation, disposing of and compliance with environmental laws and health codes.
The main objective of managing waste is to avoid the adverse effects to the public and the environment. Some waste companies can also take part in management of waste to extract useful resources like gas.
Waste management can be implemented in different phases. Proper waste management requires the input of people at different levels especially in commercial buildings. For instance, throwing trash in the right bin is a part of waste management.
Types of Waste
Waste is classified into five categories. Each type of waste has a different approach of disposal and some types can even be recycled.
Liquid waste
This type of waste is common in many households and industries. The liquid waste found in industries may include organic liquids, dirty water, detergents and water used for cleaning laundry, machines and surfaces.
Solid waste
Solid waste is more diverse. Most of it is recyclable. To help you understand the different types of solid waste, here are some of the classes that solid waste can be divided into.
Plastic waste – this includes bottles, jars, cans and other plastic products used in your home. This waste is non-biodegradable, but most can be recycled. Plastic waste should always be stored separately in a different waste bin.
Paper waste – this comprises newspapers, book covers, and other materials. Paper waste is easily reusable. As such, ensure you sort them and place the ones that cannot be reused in the bin.
Glass waste – this is not common but include household drinking glasses, bottles, broken windows panes and any other type of item that is being disposed and is made out of glass.
Metal waste – steel, aluminum and copper are some of the most common types of metal waste available. Luckily, most of it is 100% recyclable.
Organic Waste
This is another common household type of waste. It includes food, leftover meat, manure, and garden waste. Over time, microorganisms turn organic waste into manure. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean organic waste shouldn’t be disposed off properly.
When disposed of in landfills, organic waste starts producing methane, thus should never be disposed of carelessly. Instead, buy a green bin for proper disposal.
Recyclable Waste
These include all types of waste that can be converted into useful products. Some solid waste such as papers, furniture, organic waste, and metals can all be recycled.
Instead of throwing these items in the bin, which then ends up in landfills, try to recycling or reusing them first.
If you’re not sure of whether a product can be recycled or not, check its instructions. The instructions should provide information on whether the item can be recycled or reused.
Hazardous Waste
Toxic, flammable, reactive and corrosive waste falls under this category.
These items are harmful to humans and the environment, if not properly disposed. As such, it is recommended that you seek the services of a waste removal company to help you with proper disposal of hazardous waste.
Methods of Waste Management
Dumping
This is the most common waste management method. The waste is taken to landfills where it is incinerated. A landfill is a dumping site where the waste is buried in a common pit. Additionally, a landfill should be economical and far from residential areas for safety reasons.
On the other hand, incineration involves burning the waste material. This method converts waste into gas, steam, and heat. The main advantage of this dumping method is that you can do it on an individual scale and it’s affordable.
Recycling
Products such as furniture and metal are easily recyclable. Some other waste products are more challenging to recycle. Due to the complexity of such products, there are process like biological reprocessing which is used for organic waste. The process of decomposition is used to form composts for purposes of agriculture.
Collection and transportation
Transportation and collection of waste varies depending on the type of waste and the locality. Some households prefer to rent bins, which come in varying sizes. To ensure proper waste disposal through this method, you should have at least three disposal bins. One bin for general waste, another one for recyclable waste and the third for garden or organic waste.
Importance of Proper Waste Management
The key reason behind waste management is to protect public health and conserve the environment.
Some wastes are hazardous and can lead to environmental pollution. Also, poor waste management practices can cause pollution leading to serious medical conditions to the people around and poisoning the environment.
It’s imperative to propagate healthy waste management procedures. It is not only safe but also has plenty of advantages which include;
Saving costs- as a business owner, managing waste produced at your business can save valuable materials by reusing or recycling. It can go a long way in helping you cut costs.
Recovery of resources- reducing, reusing and recycling can be profitable. It reduces the amount of waste disposal, saves space in landfills and helps conserve natural resources.
Recycling and reusing helps to ease pressure on natural resources like iron ore and trees. In some cases of recycling like aluminum, the quality of the recycled product is not affected. This means this metal among others can be repeatedly recycled.
Enhance your business’ reputation– most people are taking recycling and safe waste management practices very seriously. Having effective and safe procedures to manage waste can warm the hearts of your customers who care about the environment. It could also see your business highlighted in the multiple green publications and websites which is quite prestigious.
Workplace and household safety- storing and disposing of your waste carelessly can cause harm to your employees or family members, friends and customers. If your waste consists of sharp objects, chemicals, and dangerous fumes, it’s important to invest in safe and effective procedures of managing waste to avoid injury and harm to those around you.
Waste management is a vital part of our daily lives since it has a direct effect on our health and that of the environment. As such, it is essential to understand the various types of waste and how they can be disposed to ensure the continuation of a healthy environment.
