6 Methods of Waste Disposal

There are various garbage disposal methods that are used to dispose it off. Right from household garbage management to plastic waste management and recycling are topics of utmost importance and relevance in today’s world. 6 Methods of Waste Disposal

Through this blog, we will take you through a few of the methods of garbage disposal and the importance of adopting proper waste management.

6 Methods of Waste Disposal

1. Landfill

• Non-reusable or non-recyclable waste like microwave containers and aluminium foil boxes are first separated and then, spread in low-lying areas in the form of a thin layer.
• Lastly, a layer of soil is added over each of these layers of garbage.
• After the completion of this process, the concerned area is declared unfit for the construction of buildings for about 20 years.

2. Compression of Waste

• Plastic bottles, cans and other waste materials are compressed into blocks and sent for recycling.
• This compression or compaction of waste helps prevent the oxidation of metals. Moreover, it saves space; thereby reducing the need for large storage areas for waste and minimises environmental pollution.

3. Generation of Biogas

• Biodegradable waste is garbage that can be broken down into harmless products.
• Food items, organic industrial waste produced by food packaging industries and animal waste fall under this category. These types of biodegradable waste is taken to bio-degradation plants where it is transformed into biogas by breaking them down with the help of the action of living organisms like bacteria, microbes and fungi.
• This degradation of the waste takes place with oxygen (aerobically) or without oxygen (anaerobically).
  
• The biogas that is produced is then used as fuel and the residue is used as manure.

4. Incineration

• Incineration is the process of controlled combustion or burning of garbage for the purpose of reducing it to incombustible matter such as ash and waste gas.
• This process is said to reduce waste by 90% and is also considered one of the most hygienic methods of waste disposal.
• Having said that, this method is also not considered environmentally friendly by a lot of people because it produces greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

5. Vermicomposting 

• Vermicomposting uses worms for the degradation of organic matter.
• The worms consume and digest organic matter such as animal and agricultural waste. The by-product of their digestion results in nutrient-rich manure.

6. Composting

• Scraps of food are some of the organic materials that are thrown away on a regular basis.
• The process of composting begins when such organic materials are buried under layers of soil and then left to decay with the assistance of fungi and bacteria.
• Much like vermicomposting, this process also helps develop nutrient-rich manure.
• Aside from enriching the soil, composting helps increase the water retention capacity.

Importance of Appropriate Waste Disposal & Waste Management

While the methods mentioned above are used to dispose of trash, in some cases garbage is burnt in the open which results in the release of toxic fumes and smoke. And in other cases, it is illegally dumped into rivers and canals.

What a lot of us don’t realise is that following such waste disposal practices can be harmful to the environment and can cause several problems such as the degradation of the soil quality and leaching of toxic chemicals into the underground water.

Therefore, it is important to remember that proper waste disposal and waste management are essential because ultimately our actions impact the environment around us.

Following appropriate practices can help prevent all kinds of pollution and reduce the release of harmful substances. This way, we can reduce various negative impacts on our ecosystem, wildlife and even our health.