ZERO WASTE MANAGEMENT PART 2

Waste management (or waste disposal) includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.

Waste management deals with all types of waste, including industrial, biological and household. In some cases, waste can pose a threat to human health.

Waste is produced by human activity, for example, the extraction and processing of raw materials.]

Waste management is intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on human health, the environment or aesthetics.

Zero Waste is a whole system approach to resource management centered on reducing, reusing, and recycling. 

Zero waste management means the holistic concept of waste management which recognizes waste as a resource produced during the interim phase of the process of resource consumption. Zero waste strategies may be applied to companies, to communities, industrial sectors, to schools, and homes since they include many stakeholders, not only those of the environment, but also technological aspects. 

Proper management of waste is important for building sustainable and livable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities.

There are 5 types of wastes: 

1. Liquid Waste

- Liquid waste is commonly found both in households as well as in industries. This waste includes dirty water, organic liquids, wash water, waste detergents and even rainwater.

2. Solid Rubbish

- Solid rubbish can include a variety of items found in your household along with commercial and industrial locations. 

- These can be; Plastic waste which consists of bags, containers, jars, bottles and many other products that can be found in your household. Plastic is not biodegradable, but many types of plastic can be recycled. Plastic should not be mix in with your regular waste, it should be sorted and placed in your recycling bin.

- Paper/card waste which includes packaging materials, newspapers, cardboards and other products. Paper can easily be recycled and reused. 

- Tins and metals which can be found in various forms throughout your home. Most metals can be recycled. 

- Ceramics and glass which can easily be recycled. 

3. Organic Waste

- Organic waste is another common household. All food waste, garden waste, manure and rotten meat are classified as organic waste. Over time, organic waste is turned into manure by microorganisms. However, this does not mean that you can dispose them anywhere.

- Organic waste in landfills causes the production of methane, so it must never be simply discarded with general waste.

4. Recyclable Rubbish

- Recyclable rubbish includes all waste items that can be converted into products that can be used again. Solid items such as paper, metals, furniture and organic waste can all be recycled. 

- If you’re unsure whether an item is recyclable or not, look at the packaging or the diagrams on the lid of your yellow recycling bin. Most products will explicitly state whether they are recyclable or not.

5. Hazardous Waste

- Hazardous waste includes all types of rubbish that are flammable, toxic, corrosive and reactive.

-These items can harm you as well as the environment and must be disposed of correctly. 

EFFECTS OF POLLUTION

Pollution effects are defined as “direct and/or indirect adverse impacts of contaminants on the marine environment, such as harm to living resources and marine ecosystems, including loss of biodiversity, hazards to human health, the hindering of marine activities, including fishing, tourism and recreation and other legitimate uses of the sea, impairment of the quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities or, in general, impairment of the sustainable use of marine goods and services” 

We will focus on some of the effects of pollution:

1. Environmental Degradation

Greenhouse gases, like fossil fuels released by vehicles and factories, and methane, released by livestock, contribute to air pollution and add to climate change by raising the earth's temperature. In a vicious circle, climate change then makes a certain type of air pollution worse. A reaction between combusting fossil fuel emissions and sunlight creates smog, a yellowish or blackish fog also known as "ground level ozone." Climate change also creates more allergenic air pollutants, such as mold caused by damp conditions and pollen caused by a longer pollen season and increased pollen production.

Across the world, climate change leads to more drought, heat waves, rising sea levels, storms, warming oceans and rising sea levels, which affect animal species by destroying their natural habitats.

Environmental pollutants have various adverse health effects from early life some of the most important harmful effects are perinatal disorders, infant mortality, respiratory disorders, allergy, malignancies, cardiovascular disorders, increase in stress oxidative, endothelial dysfunction, mental disorders, and various other harmful effects.

2. Human Health 

Air pollution can have a serious heath impact on humans. If you are exposed to very high levels of air pollutants, you may experience irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, wheezing, coughing and breathing problems and have a greater risk of heart attacks. 

Air pollution can also exacerbate existing lung and heart conditions, like asthma. Smog can irritate the eyes and throat and also damage the lungs. Children, senior citizens and people who work or exercise outside are at a greater risk. Those most at risk are people with asthma or allergies because pollutants can make their symptoms worse and trigger asthma attacks.

If soil pollutants produce contaminated food, anyone who eats it may become ill. Toxic soil may also cause illness through skin contact or inhalation.

Drinking contaminated water caused by sewage overflow may cause sickness and digestive problems in humans. Pollutants such as mercury in fish and seafood can lead to serious health problems, especially in children and pregnant women.

Similarly, noise pollution leads to hearing loss, stress, and sleep disturbance.

3.Infertile Land

Due to the constant use of insecticides and pesticides, the soil may become infertile. Plants may not be able to grow properly. 

 Pollutants in water resulting from trash, oil spills, sewage spills and run-off from agricultural fields, construction sites and factories affect native plant and animal species. Various forms of chemicals produced from industrial waste are released into the flowing water which also affects the quality of the soil.

4. Endangers animals 

Water pollution in terms of the oil spill may lead to the death of several wildlife species.Animals are also often injured or killed by solid waste discarded in water.

In conclusion: 

Pollution not only affects humans by destroying their respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems; it also affects the nature, plants, fruits, vegetables, rivers, ponds, forests, animals, etc, on which they are highly dependent on survival. It is crucial to control pollution as nature, wildlife and human life are precious gifts to mankind.

Remember, unless we embrace sustainable living, go green, and practice zero-waster our world is likely to witness further dramatic transformations due to pollution. So lets join hands in following the right guidelines especially when it comes to disposal of wastes and take the right steps to make way for a better world.

Sources: (Law et al., 2010). 

Thank you for your contributions of Facebook: 

Nana Wakuvuruga

Short and long term exposure to pollution can trigger some respiratory issues. Living in urban areas where there's a high emission rate from vehicles you're more likely to suffer from respiratory problems

PROTECTING NEW TREES

Planting trees is a major solution to combat deforestation. Anyone can plant trees, however trees just like any living organism needs love and care for it to grow and provide us with the infinite benefits.

In this chapter we will focus on taking care of new trees. Trees need to be protected from strong winds, snow, heat and sun, pests, among others. 

WIND PROTECTION

Depending on the type of tree, you may need to protect it during its first two years if it it sited in an open area exposed to prevailing winds. 

If it has a heavy or small canopy, loose rootball or has a large or bare root, newly plated tree may need temporary skating (support plant with stakes). If it seems to be necessary stake trees loosely and for only 6 months to a year. Tree trunk thicken and strengthen faster when they can move freely. 

An alternative to staking is screening. Fasten a length of burlap, snow fencing or commercial garden fabric such as shade cloth to post on the windy side of the tree about 6 feet from the trunk to divert strong wind yet allow air circulation around exposed trees, especially evergreens. 

HEAT AND SUN PROTECTION THROUGH SUMMER

Tree protectors, or tree tubes around each and every seedling helps in protecting them from day 1. They accelerate growth and protect your plants from animals and other plant destroying critters. Make sure to keep enough spacing between the tubes. 

Aggressive weeds, including grasses, will rob your seedlings of necessary moisture and nutrients. You can provide mechanical control with a hoes or weed eater, or chemical control with a contact herbicide. Keep at least a 3-feet radius weed free around your plants. 

Mulch shades the ground around your precious seedlings keeping the soil cool. It also suppresses thirsty weeds and traps moisture that would otherwise evaporate. Natural mulches such as bark, straw or leaves work well and break down into soil-building organic matter. In extremely dry areas, fabric weed mats work well to trap and hold moisture around the roots. 

Like humans, plants need a quality food source to stay healthy and reach their full potential. Proper fertilization encourages a strong root system that is more capable of utilizing available soil moisture than an underfed root system. Consider using manure-based organic fertilizers instead of traditional chemical fertilizers. 

SOIL PROTECTION

The health and longevity of all trees, but especially newly planted ones, is improved if the soil they grow in is improved. Mulching is an effective way to achieve that. However, make sure not to pile the mulch against the trunk. In the winter mulch insulates the soil against extreme temperature fluctuations that sometimes disturb tree roots and heave those of newly planted small trees out of the soil. Also make sure to replace depleted mulch regularly. 

PROTECTION FROM PEST

The tender bark of young trees is often damaged by critters. Both deer and rodents, such as mice, chew on it during the winter when other food sources are scarce. Deer also rub against young trees, abrading their bark.

Surround the thin trunks of newly planted trees with a tree shelter product. These tough covers fit loosely around whips and saplings as a barrier to protect the tree bark. Check periodically to make sure that trunk guards are not too tight. 

We appreciate all the feedback we received regarding this topic. Here is an amazing one share on our Twitter account: 

Soil, Water & Environmental Conservation Foundation - 

The easy way .if you have unity with communities members is easy because they will be watering them .that is when you have large number of trees planted.if few trees planted to manage them is easy by watering them during sunny days until the rains comes back.