Importance of Waste Management to Environmental Sanitation
Sanitation is an important factor for good health as well as the development of the economy and well-being, therefore waste management is important. Waste management is the act of collecting, storing, moving, recycling, and disposal of waste. For the past few years, waste management has been a concern around the globe.
Majorly waste is gotten from households, industries, factories, construction sites, and refineries. Due to the increase in population leading to the increase in consumption and production, people and businesses must take up the act of proper waste management, because if not taken seriously, it will lead to health issues and the death of animals.
For decades, people normally dispose of their waste by digging a pit in a faraway land. At then it was an effective way of disposing of waste because the population was less, which also made waste management easy. But now, due to the increase in population, waste production has increased massively, making disposal difficult.
The wastes produced presently are very toxic including biodegradable and inorganic elements and could lead to serious effects. This is why waste management is highly important in environmental sanitation.
Different Types of Wastes
1. Liquid Wastes: These kinds of waste items are mostly found in households and industries. They include dirty water, organic liquids, waste detergents, etc.
2. Plastic Wastes: this consists of wastes from materials like bags, containers, and bottles.
3. Paper Wastes: these wastes include wastes from items like newspaper and cardboard. Paper waste can easily be recycled and reused.
4. Tins and Metals Wastes: These kinds of wastes are made up of metals and tins. They can also be easily recycled.
5. Glass and Ceramic Wastes: these include wastes from glasses, and they can be easily recycled.
6. Organic Wastes: these wastes include food, garden waste, rotten meat, etc.
7. Hazardous Wastes: these include wastes that are toxic, flammable, and reactive.
Different Methods of Wastes Disposal
1. Landfill
2. Incineration
3. Waste compaction
4. Composting
5. Biogas generation
Read Also: Complete Non-Biodegradable Waste Management Guide
Now let’s discuss the importance of waste management to environmental sanitation (waste removal) below;
Six (6) Importance of Waste Management to Environmental Sanitation
Having poor waste management practices or poor waste management services can result in various adverse effects, including health and environmental problems.
As a result of this, people and industries must understand the importance of waste management.
1. It protects animals and other aquatic animals
Just like humans, when there is no proper disposal of waste it affects animals and aquatic animals. For example, animals like the cow that feed on the grass in a contaminated environment such as landfills can be greatly affected due to the toxic chemicals disposed of in the soil.
Also, aquatic animals, then begin to feed on harmful particles floating in the water. When this happens, we as humans are also affected because we feed on these animals and aquatic animals.
Therefore, we need to practice proper waste management, to protect the animals and also the aquatic animals.
2. Improves human health
Oftentimes, when different kinds of waste are not disposed of properly it results in different health issues for the human body. Some of these health issues include skin irritation, respiratory problems, and other illnesses. For example, waste released by industries into the water and the air leaking into the bodies are very dangerous.
As a result of this, people should be taught how to properly dispose of their waste, whether in their homes or industries, to avoid humans from these deadly diseases. We should always remember that Health is Wealth.
Read Also: Some Inherited Defects to be Avoided in Livestock Breeding
3. It reduces production costs
When waste is managed properly it can be recycled. Waste products such as paper, glass, plastic, and leather can be arranged in different order/columns to make new products with them which will save natural resources. But if these wastes are not recycled properly, they end up being dumped into rivers or landfills, thereby causing health issues for humans and animals.
Instead of buying new materials, you can use the waste you recycled efficiently, thereby saving your cost of getting a new resource and reducing your cost of production. As a result of this, you can save a lot of money that can be used for other things.
4. It has a great impact on the economy
Waste management doesn’t save natural resources, human lives, and animals alone but it also impacts the economy positively as a result of job opportunities that will be made available. Jobs were created for running a proper waste management system.
In the field of waste management, a large amount of labor is required, from the collection of the waste to the final stage of segregation. Every stage needs manpower and ultimately a large number of employment opportunities are made available.
5. It yields more profits for companies
Businesses can make a lot of profits by recycling waste materials. If these companies are aware of the number and type of waste they produce and what they could gain from it, it will be easier for them to maximize profit and minimize their expenses.
Read Also: Guide to Proper Management of Solid Waste
6. It keeps the environment clean and fresh
The greatest importance of waste management to environmental sanitation is that it keeps the environment neat and fresh. As a result of this, it makes the environment comfortable and safe to stay in.
Now you can see how important waste management is in environmental sanitation. Therefore, I recommend that whether it is solid, liquid, or toxic waste, these things should be recycled properly for the protection of human lives and the environment. You can get started with locating any waste management near me/you.
