7.3.2 Waste Management

Types of Waste

• Household Waste: Includes everyday items like food scraps, packaging, and household products.
• Industrial Waste: By-products from manufacturing, mining, and other industrial processes.
• Agricultural Waste: Waste from farming activities, including animal manure, crop residues, and pesticides.
• Hazardous Waste: Waste that poses a risk to human health or the environment, such as chemicals, batteries, and electronic waste.

Environmental Impacts of Poor Waste Management

• Pollution: Improper disposal of waste can lead to air, water, and soil pollution. For example:

  • Air pollution from burning waste, which releases harmful gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
  • Water pollution from chemicals and waste entering rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • Soil contamination from hazardous materials, affecting plant growth and entering the food chain.

• Habitat Destruction: Landfills and waste dumps can destroy natural habitats, displacing wildlife and reducing biodiversity.

  

• Health Risks: Exposure to hazardous waste can lead to serious health problems for humans and animals.

Strategies to Protect Biodiversity

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Minimizing waste reduces pollution and habitat destruction, helping to preserve ecosystems.
• Composting: Turning organic waste into compost enriches soil without harming the environment.
• Proper Waste Disposal: Ensuring waste is managed properly, like using lined landfills, prevents pollution and protects habitats.