Waste Material

 
Human activities produce waste every day. The resulting waste needs to be handled properly to take care of the environment. This chapter explains about the types of waste and the proper way to manage waste.
 
9.1  Waste Material
 
Waste comes from various sources such as residences, factories, food stalls, markets, agriculture and motor vehicles.
 
Definition
 
Waste is the material that is no longer needed and no longer wanted to be kept
 
 
Waste Materials
 
Types of Wastes Examples
Metals
  • Scrap metal
  • Food cans
  • Aluminium cans
Plastic
  • Plastic containers
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic bottles
Glass
  • Glass pieces
  • Glass bottles
  • Glass bowls
Paper
  • Old newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Boxes
Food waste
  • Bone waste
  • Fruits skins
  • Vegetable waste
Excretory products and faeces
  • Urine and feces
Toxic waste
  • Chemical substances
  • Industrial waste
  • Agriculturals waste
  • Aerosol bottles
  • Liquid insecticides
  • Liquid from batteries
  • Smoke vehicles
 
 
Biodegradable or Not?
 
Biodegradable waste Non-biodegradable waste
  • Waste that can be decayed by microorganisms in the decomposition process
  • This waste is decomposed by microorganisms and returns as nutrients in the soil
  • Examples: food waste, papers, excretory products and faeces
  • Waste that cannot be decayed by the microorganims
  • Can cause natural disasters due to the many clogged drains
  • Examples: glass, metal, plastic and toxic waste
 
 

Appreciate Our Earth

  • Non -biodegradable wastes should be used prudently as these wastes will remain in the environment for a long time
  • The effects of unplanned waste disposal will cause problems such as:

    1. Air pollution
    2. Water pollution
    3. Disease
    4. Acid rain
    5. Flash floods
    6. Destruction of animal and plant habitats
 
Waste Management Practices
 
  • Wrapped and tied neatly
  • Food waste can decay and be made into compost fertiliser
  • Non-biodegradable waste must be separated according to their types before disposing
  • Chemical waste and oil waste must be disposed into special container
 
 
3R Practises
 
R-Reduce R-Reuse R-Recycle
Use a recycling bag when shopping at the store Reuse cans, used bottles and make newspapers as bases and wrappers Recycling the waste into new products
 
 
 

Planned Management of Waste Materials

  1. Operated by Local Authorities
  2. Waste are collected and sent to the recycling centre
  3. Waste are separated by their type: Recyclable or non -recyclable
  4. Recycled materials will be compressed to be sent to the factories that process waste to be made into new products
  5. Waste that cannot be recycled will be burnt at high temperature in the incinerator then sent to the waste disposal site to be disposed
 

Waste Material

 
Human activities produce waste every day. The resulting waste needs to be handled properly to take care of the environment. This chapter explains about the types of waste and the proper way to manage waste.
 
9.1  Waste Material
 
Waste comes from various sources such as residences, factories, food stalls, markets, agriculture and motor vehicles.
 
Definition
 
Waste is the material that is no longer needed and no longer wanted to be kept
 
 
Waste Materials
 
Types of Wastes Examples
Metals
  • Scrap metal
  • Food cans
  • Aluminium cans
Plastic
  • Plastic containers
  • Plastic bags
  • Plastic bottles
Glass
  • Glass pieces
  • Glass bottles
  • Glass bowls
Paper
  • Old newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Boxes
Food waste
  • Bone waste
  • Fruits skins
  • Vegetable waste
Excretory products and faeces
  • Urine and feces
Toxic waste
  • Chemical substances
  • Industrial waste
  • Agriculturals waste
  • Aerosol bottles
  • Liquid insecticides
  • Liquid from batteries
  • Smoke vehicles
 
 
Biodegradable or Not?
 
Biodegradable waste Non-biodegradable waste
  • Waste that can be decayed by microorganisms in the decomposition process
  • This waste is decomposed by microorganisms and returns as nutrients in the soil
  • Examples: food waste, papers, excretory products and faeces
  • Waste that cannot be decayed by the microorganims
  • Can cause natural disasters due to the many clogged drains
  • Examples: glass, metal, plastic and toxic waste
 
 

Appreciate Our Earth

  • Non -biodegradable wastes should be used prudently as these wastes will remain in the environment for a long time
  • The effects of unplanned waste disposal will cause problems such as:

    1. Air pollution
    2. Water pollution
    3. Disease
    4. Acid rain
    5. Flash floods
    6. Destruction of animal and plant habitats
 
Waste Management Practices
 
  • Wrapped and tied neatly
  • Food waste can decay and be made into compost fertiliser
  • Non-biodegradable waste must be separated according to their types before disposing
  • Chemical waste and oil waste must be disposed into special container
 
 
3R Practises
 
R-Reduce R-Reuse R-Recycle
Use a recycling bag when shopping at the store Reuse cans, used bottles and make newspapers as bases and wrappers Recycling the waste into new products
 
 
 

Planned Management of Waste Materials

  1. Operated by Local Authorities
  2. Waste are collected and sent to the recycling centre
  3. Waste are separated by their type: Recyclable or non -recyclable
  4. Recycled materials will be compressed to be sent to the factories that process waste to be made into new products
  5. Waste that cannot be recycled will be burnt at high temperature in the incinerator then sent to the waste disposal site to be disposed