Waste Management

Waste Management refers to the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Waste management deals with all types of waste, including industrial, biological and household. In some cases, waste can pose a threat to public health, the environment, or both. Waste is produced by human activity, for example, the extraction and processing of raw materials. Waste management is intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on health, the environment or aesthetics.

Waste Management Methods[edit | edit source]

There are several methods for managing waste, which are often dependent on the type of waste in question. These methods include:

Landfill: This involves the disposal of waste in a landfill site. Waste is buried in the ground, or in a landfill site that has been dug into the ground.

Incineration: This method involves the combustion of waste material. Incineration can be done on a small scale by individuals and on a large scale by industry. It is used to dispose of solid, liquid and gaseous waste. It is also used to generate energy.

Recycling: This involves the conversion of waste materials into new products. This reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials, energy usage, air pollution and water pollution.

Composting: This is a biological process that takes organic wastes, such as food and garden waste, and turns it into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner.