Understanding Waste Management and Recycling Practices

What is Waste?

Waste consists of items we no longer need and choose to discard.

Kinds of Waste

1. Why is organic waste not a major problem?

Because it is biodegradable, it decomposes naturally through the action of living organisms in a way that is not harmful.

2. Examples of recyclable waste

• Aluminum: Soda, milk, and tomato cans.
• Plastic: Grocery shopping bags and plastic bottles.
• Glass: Bottles.
• Paper: Newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes.

Sources of Waste

3. What are the three names for electronic waste?

E-waste, e-scrap, and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

4. Why is proper disposal of electronic waste important?

Because electronic and electrical devices usually contain harmful metal components that damage the environment and human health.

Waste Disposal

5. What are the two common ways of managing waste?

Incineration and landfills.

6. What is the best way to dispose of hazardous factory and hospital waste?

Incineration.

7. What is the problem with incineration?

It produces excessive carbon dioxide.

Recycling

8. What is recycling?

It is the process of converting used materials (waste) into new, useful products.

9. What are the benefits of recycling?

• It helps protect the environment by reducing pollution.
• It conserves natural resources.
• It saves energy, as producing items from raw materials is more energy-intensive; this can also lower the prices of products made from recycled materials.

Paper Recycling

10. What is the problem with recycling waste paper?

It is often contaminated with food, plastics, or metals. Sometimes it is so contaminated that it cannot be recycled and must be sent to landfills.

Glass Recycling

11. What should we do before throwing items into the glass bin?

We should wash them first.

12. Examples of recycled glass items

Bottles, jars, countertops, and fiberglass.

Effects of Poor Waste Disposal

Environmental Effects

13. What kinds of pollution can it cause and what are the effects?

It causes water, land, and air pollution, which harms ecosystems and the living creatures within them.

Your Role

14. Classify these actions into things you do and things you plan to do:

• Use cloth towels and ceramic plates at home instead of paper towels, disposable spoons, and paper plates.
• Use your own shopping bag instead of taking plastic bags when shopping.
• Reuse items such as bags, gift wrappers, clothing, furniture, and games.
• Sort out waste for recycling and composting.
• Lead or join an environmental group.

Things that I do well

Things I am planning to do