How to Construct and Maintain an Effective Waste Management System

Problems in Effective Waste Management :- 

Constructing and maintaining an effective waste management system is easily possible in many developed nations whereas in a developing nation like ours with its huge population it is still a big challenge. Even though our government has started few large scale biogas plants and composting systems , usually maintaining them has always been a problem. So what are the few effective steps that actually work?

General Awareness :- 

 It is the fundamental duty of every citizen to make sure that all wastes are disposed of carefully and safely for a better tomorrow. Throwing wastes to roads , canals and other less occupied areas will only harm us as they can create epidemics and an unhealthy environment. Organizations and committees should come forward and take leading roles in effectively managing their area as sewage free. Waste disposal and management should be an important subject at schools and colleges .Students should come forward and become active participants in raising voices against improper methods of waste disposal.

Cooperate and support your city cooperation or private local institutions that come forward to help in managing wastes in your local areas. Try to use separate bins for biodegradable and non degradable wastes. Sell the plastic and metal wastes or give it away for recycling.

Minimizing Wastes in First Place:- 

Even if you are financially well, try to repair or maintain the damaged electronic items if possible rather than disposing them and going for a new one.

How To Manage Biodegradable Wastes

 Biodegradable wastes can be collected  and given  to cooperations that come to collect it. But this is a problem since in a country like ours we do not have a proper landfill to dispose these wastes and most of the large scale bio gas plants build are not maintained well and is usually a failure . So the best possible way is to create our own compost plants at our little garden . The following are the different types:-

Simple Pile Compost:- 

 All it need is a little space cleared of grass and a wooden or plastic bin . Place few chopped brush or other coarse material on area where bin is to be kept .Mix moistened grass leaves saw dust manure and little soil, coffee beans, bread, egg shells, fruits etc. Things that should be avoided are bones, cat and dog manure, chicken ,fish ,milk, meat and oil. The bin should be 3 to 5 feet high. Keep the mixture in the bin for two weeks and it would turn into manure. The manure or compost is ready within 2 or 3 months when it is dark brown in color and crumbly.

Manage Biodegradable Wastes

Vermi Compost:- 

All this need is a bin, a bedding consisting of long striped moistened newspaper cuttings for the worms, worms(Elsenia fetida and Lumricus rubellus)and of course the kitchen waste

If  1 pound of waste is produced then use a bin that is 3’ by 3’ Place the bedding in the bin and empty the worms into it. Set it aside for 2 days and then add the wastes(kitchen wastes).The worms will do their job.. Use a glove while doing this.

Vermi Compost Bin

Disposing Pesticides :- 

 Replace with natural manure where ever possible. While discarding triple rinse the container making sure most of the chemical is sprayed to the plant and dispose of the container .

Other ways:- 

  These include checking if flats have a proper maintained waste management system before buying instead of checking for gyms ,swimming pools and other luxuries as first priority.

Audited By  Smitha Santhosh