Garbage: Sources, Classification, Disposal

Garbage is the term used for all the domestic waste generated by human beings. This waste includes household waste like kitchen waste, waste paper, spoiled food, dried leaves, etc. The waste can be classified into different types, mainly Biodegradable Waste and Non-Biodegradable Waste. Proper waste disposal and recycling of waste are very important for the environment. 

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What is Garbage? 

The waste material generated by humans is termed Garbage. It generally consists of domestic or household waste. The waste includes fruits and vegetable peel-offs, spoiled food, waste paper, broken plastic and glass items, dried leaves, old and torn clothes, and other unwanted items. 

Garbage

Every household dumps the garbage in a dustbin which is then picked up by the waste management authorities. They segregate the waste based on the material and recyclability. After that, the waste goes through certain waste disposal steps.

Sources of Garbage

The different sources of waste are listed as follows: 

• Domestic Waste: Waste generated in homes and mainly consists of kitchen waste; sewage waste. 
• Agricultural Waste: Waste generated in the fields like grass, straw, fibre, etc. 
• Industrial Waste: Waste generated in the industries scrap metal, oils, solvents, chemicals, etc. 
• Electronic Waste: Consists of wires, CDs, batteries, computer parts, etc. 

Classification of Garbage 

Garbage can be divided into the following two categories: 

• Biodegradable Waste: It includes organic waste that can be broken down into simpler organic molecules by the action of microorganisms. The biodegradable waste consists of fruits and vegetable peel-offs, dried leaves, and animal waste. 
• Non-Biodegradable Waste: It includes waste that cannot be broken down easily as they are prepared in laboratories. As they are tough to break down, they cause a lot of environmental pollution such as plastics.

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Garbage Disposal 

Garbage Disposal is an essential process as it eliminates all the garbage from nature. A proper garbage disposal ensures that our environment is safe from the harmful effects of the garbage. Different methods of garbage disposal are as follows: 

• Composting

Composting is ideal for the disposal of biodegradable waste. Composting is the process, where the garbage is dumped in a pit and is decomposed into manure by the action of different bacteria. The decomposition of waste takes around 2-3 months. 

Composting

• Landfilling

Landfilling is the easiest method of garbage disposal in which all the garbage is dumped in a low-lying area. When the area fills up with garbage, it is covered by soil and can be turned into a playground. It is not a good method as it causes soil erosion, gives rise to foul smell and causes diseases.

Landfilling 

• Incineration

Incineration refers to burning waste at high temperatures. It is generally used for medical waste. It is not a good method as it can cause air pollution. 

Incineration

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Composting and Vermicomposting

Composting and vermicomposting are both processes of garbage disposal methods used for biodegradable waste. In this method, all the biodegradable waste like fruits and vegetable peel-offs, leaves, newspapers, etc. are dumped in a pit. After that, some water is sprinkled over the pit and the pit is closed. After 2-3 months, all the waste will be decomposed and converted into useful manure by the action of earthworms for vermicomposts and microorganisms in case of compost. Earthworms lack teeth, so they use a structure called a “gizzard” to grind the food. Earthworms also need a warm and moist environment to survive. Composting method is used for biodegradable garbage and vermicomposting is used for organic biodegradable garbage.

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Recycling the Garbage

Another excellent method for garbage disposal is Recycling. Recycling refers to the process of converting waste material into useful material. The 3 R’s are very useful during the recycling process. There are: 

• Reduce: Reduce the consumption so that waste produced is less in the first place. Buy the products according to the need and when necessary. 
• Reuse: Reuse the materials such as envelopes, newspapers, etc. Freeze the leftover food for later consumption and leftover vegetables can be pickled. 
• Recycle: Frequently recycle broken plastic material such as bottles, paper, metal, etc. 

Recycling of Garbage

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Things to Remember 

• Different sources of garbage include Domestic Garbage, Agricultural Garbage, Industrial Garbage, and Electronic Garbage. 
• Garbage can be classified into Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable. 
• Biodegradable waste includes organic waste that can be broken down into simpler organic molecules by the action of microorganisms.
• Non-Biodegradable Waste includes waste that cannot be broken down easily as they are prepared in laboratories.
• Different methods of garbage disposal are Composting, Landfilling, and Incineration. 

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