A Guide to Waste Management

Did you know that there are many different types of waste? There’s municipal waste, which is the one produced in households and commercial businesses, or that results from demolition and renovations. There’s hazardous waste, which is waste with properties that make it dangerous or harmful to human health. Other types of waste include biomedical, electronic, radioactive, etc. If we don’t handle waste properly, it can have negative consequences on our health and the environment. That’s why waste management is such an important part of our society.

 

Waste management refers to the processes required to handle waste, from its creation to its disposal or reuse. This includes the collection, transport, treatment, and final disposal of waste. The main goal of waste management is to reduce the number of unusable materials and to avoid potential health and environmental hazards. In this article, we will talk about the process by which waste should be handled, and the importance of doing it properly.

 

History of Waste Management 

The amount of waste, as well as the types of waste humans produce, have changed throughout history. For example, there was an enormous increase in waste during the Industrial Revolution in Europe. Given that they didn’t have any regulations about waste, the garbage in the streets started to pile up and affect the hygiene and health of the cities.

Edwin Chadwick, an English social reformer in the mid-19th century, published a report about the need for effective waste removal and management facilities to improve the population’s health and well-being. This led to a law being introduced in England that stated that each household had to use a ‘dust-bin’ for the weekly disposal of their waste, which would then be taken to a landfill.

Shortly after, the first incineration plants were created for the destruction of waste. At the beginning of the 20th century, this system was adopted by other cities in Europe and Northern America. Nowadays, most countries have their own methods of managing waste.

 

Methods of Waste Management 

There are different types of methods of waste management that respond to the type of waste that needs to be handled. These include:

 

Landfill Disposal: A landfill is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal. In this process, non-recyclable waste is buried in the land systematically. This is the most affordable way of waste management, which is why it’s used all over the world and especially in the global south. However, it can have negative consequences such as soil, groundwater, and air pollution, and lead to ecological imbalance.

 

Incineration: Through this method, solid organic wastes are subjected to combustion in order to turn them into residue and gas. This method is especially useful in parts of the world where land is scarce, given that it significantly reduces the volume of waste.

 

Recycling: Recycling means the physical reprocessing of old materials, such as metals or plastic, to turn them into new products. Recycling has a lot of benefits, including reducing the amount of waste on the planet. However, it positively impacts not only the environment but also the economy by enabling the commercialization of new products.

 

Waste to Energy: This method involves the conversion of non-recyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through different processes. Using this method generates a renewable energy source and can reduce carbon emissions.

 

What are Waste Management Services 

Waste management services are businesses or agencies that handle the garbage we generate at home and unwanted materials. Some companies deal with the waste throughout the whole process, from pickup to disposal. Others specialize in a single aspect of the process. For example, Twin Bridges Waste and Recycling is a waste management company that offers a wide range of services and focuses on recycling. They process up to 249 tons of material daily, most of which results in recycled products.

 

Why are Waste Management Services Important 

We all want to have a clean home, garden, office, and surroundings. Not only is it pleasant for the view, but it is also a prerequisite for a healthy and happy life. However, there’s only so much we can do to manage our own waste, given that most of us are not professionals in the subject. And trying to do more without knowing what the correct process is can be tiring and frustrating.

Waste management companies know all about the disposal and/or recycling of waste. They also have the equipment and technical abilities to do it properly. As we discussed earlier, different types of waste require different types of management. These businesses know how to deal with each particular type in a way that’s beneficial for our health and the environment. If you’re thinking about hiring waste management services for your home or your business, make sure to check out Twin Bridges Waste management and Recycling.

What is the main method by which waste is managed in your area? If you have any comments or questions, please let us know below.

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