Waste segregation is pivotal for recycling and composting, to minimize the environmental impact of materials. Adopting these practices promotes a healthier future, reducing strain on landfills and mitigating pollution. In this blog, let us understand how to segregate waste at home, office and school for a cleaner community.
How to Segregate Waste at Home Properly
The separation of wet and dry waste to facilitate dry trash recycling and the use of wet waste to compost is termed waste segregation. Here are the methods to successfully manage and segregate waste:
Step 1: Understand & Label Correctly
Different countries follow different types of waste segregation. Sort your waste into categories that are often used in your area. Aside from the basic dry and wet waste criteria, consider specialized waste categories that require special consideration.
- Dry Waste: It includes recyclable materials such as paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard, which can be recycled or reused. Separate dry garbage into two bags: paper and plastic.
- Wet Waste: This comprises food scraps and vegetable peels. Wet garbage should be disposed of daily, while dry waste can be stored and disposed of weekly.
- Sanitary Waste: It includes medical, human, and animal waste, falls under this category. For example, syringes, toilet papers, and other things.
- Hazardous Waste: This category deals with toxic, combustible, corrosive, or dangerous waste that is harmful to people and the environment. For example, pesticides, solvent-based paints, batteries, different types of chemicals, and related products.
- E-waste: E-waste is defined as electronic equipment and components that are obsolete or no longer useful. For example, flash drives, monitors, and mouse.
Step 2: Apply Labels
It is important to label to improve waste separation, to further prevent confusion and promote accurate sorting at home. You can use designated bins to encourage this habit at home. Different types of labels based on bin systems are as follows:
- Bin System: Compostable; Recyclable; Landfill; Non-recyclable
- Non-Biodegradable Waste: Glass; Metal; Paper; Plastic
Step 3: Isolate Residual Waste
Residual garbage that cannot be recycled or repurposed should be collected and stored in labeled containers. Collect, segregate, and send leftover waste directly into designated landfill containers. This is how you can effectively segregate waste at home.
Step 4: Clean Before Sorting
You can help cleaning staff or waste bank operators by ensuring that waste is clean before segregation. This enhances recycling rates and decreases unwanted odors. Additionally, before placing kitchen plastic in the dry waste bin, make sure it’s clean and dry.
Step 5: Compact Waste
For this you can crush plastic bottles and fold paper rubbish to make use of available container space. Effectively segregating waste at home involves treating different types of garbage differently, utilizing methods like composting, recycling, and incineration.
A similar approach with designated bins can be applied to segregate waste at school, particularly for paper waste, to enhance efficient waste management. Building a community and encouraging people to segregate waste supports more sustainable waste management methods.
Also See: 30 Innovative Eco-Friendly Zero Waste Business Ideas
Cross-Reference: Tips on waste segregation
How to Segregate Waste at Office
Companies should reduce landfill waste to be sustainable and save money. Key steps to achieve this include the following:
Tip 1 – Remove 2-Bin System: In many offices, the standard waste disposal system consists of only two bins, one for general waste and the other for recyclables. For inorganic waste, you can provide separate containers as per the following categories:
- Glass waste: mirrors, glass bottles, and light bulbs
- Metal waste: nails, beverage cans, and safety pins
- Paper waste: used magazines & beverages/food carton, and HVS paper
- Plastic waste: Styrofoam, HDPE, PET, PP, PVC, LDPE and other types of plastic waste.
Also Read: 10 Interesting Landfills Facts and Stats
Tip 2 – Add Composting Bin: Consider installing a composting bin to enhance the regular two-bin system. They are not only for teabags and apple cores but also for paper towels and napkins. Removing these from regular dustbins reduces landfill waste, lowering waste charges.
Tip 3 – Introduce Battery Disposal Box: It’s important to have a designated box for disposing of batteries, especially in office environments. When the box is full, it should be taken to nearby recycling facilities or shops that accept used batteries.
Tip 4 – Follow WEEE Waste Disposal Plan: Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), is a category that includes things like light bulbs, electrical cables, PCs, keyboards, and mobile phones. These things shouldn’t go in the trash. When the box is filled, take it to the recycling facility for WEEE materials. Additionally, a few non-profit organizations will take back your old PCs.
Segregating waste at home is the initial step toward sustainable solutions, utilizing labeled bins to streamline the process. This approach encourages awareness and community engagement, thereby reducing landfill waste and lowering pollution for responsible disposal.
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