Health Module 5-7: Proper Waste Disposal

Do you know what the different types of wastes are?

To keep your homes, schools, and community clean, you must first identify and understand the types of
wastes you produce. It comes in different forms such as:

general waste

metals

paper and cardboard

toxic waste

Basically, there are three types of wastes. They are: biodegradable waste nonbiodegradable waste and
toxic waste.

Activity

Draw 10 examples of each kind of waste. Biodegradable and Non-biodegradble.

 BIODEGRADABLE NON- BIODEGRADABLE

Biodegradable Waste

Biodegradable waste is waste that can be broken down into its base components or simply decomposed
by microorganisms or decomposers and recycled into the life cycle naturally.
Examples of biodegradable wastes are:

Leftover or spoiled food

Fruit and Vegetable peelings

Seeds and leaves

Grass

Paper Waste

Paper waste is a type of waste that comes from used or discarded paper product. Old newspapers, used
notebooks, and dilapidated boxes are just some examples.

Production of paper uses huge amounts of trees, water, and energy. Paper waste takes up a lot of space
in the landfill and when paper rots or composted, it emits methane gas which is 25 times more toxic
than carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is better to recycle paper waste to save space, trees, and energy.

Old newspapers

Dilapidated boxes

Kitchen Waste

Kitchen waste is one of the most diverse types of biodegradable wastes. It can be defined as waste that
is found and discarded from the kitchen. The following are different types of kitchen wastes.

Leftover or spoiled food

Fruit and vegetable peelings

Yard Cuttings

Yard cuttings or trimmings are wastes that are generated from the garden, lawn, or backyard. Yard
cuttings come in different forms such as leaves, grass trimmings, cut branches, and pulled weeds.

Leaves

Grass trimmings

Cut branches

Pulled weeds

Yard cuttings are bulky and somehow difficult

to transport compared to other wastes. The good thing is that they are biodegradable and can be dealt
with in different ways.

1. Composting

Compost is an alternative material that can be used to grow plants. A mature compost is created
by combining organic wastes such as yard cuttings, food waste, and manure (animal stool) in
proper ratios and of nwob setting them aside in a compost pit for some time.

2.Recycling

Recycling can be done to branch trimmings and tree trunks by using them as materials for arts and
crafts.

3. Leaving them
Leaves left beside the fence

For the grass trimmings and leaves, they may be left in place and just let them decompose naturally. The
trimmings left behind will also serve as empla vorganic fertilizers after they decompose.

Nonbiodegradable Waste

Nonbiodegradable waste is a type of waste that cannot be broken down to its base components
naturally.

Unlike biodegradable wastes such as food and leaves, nonbiodegradable wastes remain stable
indefinitely and may take up millions of years before they decompose.

Examples of nonbiodegradable wastes are used plastic bags, styrofoam containers, broken glasses, and
used tin cans. Other junk objects that are made of plastic, glass, and metal also belong in this category.

Plastic bottles

Broken glasses

Old tires

Tin cans

Plastic Waste

Plastic plays a big part in peoples' lives, It is used in manufacturing almost everything-from plastic bags
and beverage containers to laptops and computers.

Therefore, it is important that you manage your plastic wastes properly before it fills up the landfills.
"Mud orff w of laed sstudhinos offtosu boerqsoblw osloabloatt selftod to ezuppedbrio There are two
types of plastic waste.

1. Durable - the plastic that is hard and long-lasting.

Example: Appliances
 Furniture

2. Nondurable - plastic that is easily destroyed.

Example:Plastic bags

Utensils

Styrofoam

Commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomer.
It is a light material that is used in making cups, containers, packaging materials, art materials, and
more. Discarded styrofoam is nonbiodegradable and can only be disposed off by recycling or by dumping
into landfills.

Example:

Styrofoam cups

Styrofoam cushion for electronics

Glass is a very common material mostly used in the production of containers and bottles. Glass also
contributes to the bulk of nonbiodegradable waste because of its widespread use. The best way to
manage glass waste is by reusing it.

Example:

Broken glasses

Old bottles

Cans

Another kind of waste that you usually encounter is used or discarded cans. They may be aluminum cans
that are usually used in beverages or tin cans that are used as food containers. Since cans are always
made of metal (aluminum or iron), it can always be reused or recycled.

Example:
Discarded can of sardines

Soft drink cans

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste is any kind of waste, liquid or solid, that contains substances that are harmful to
humans and animals. They may be:

1. Carcinogens - chemicals or substances that cause cancer.

2. Developmental and reproductive hazard - substances that cause adverse effects on male or female
reproductive systems or cause adverse effects on developing organisms. Examples are used batteries, a
type of waste that contains lead and or mercury.

3 . Corrosives - substances that cause destruction or deterioration in living tissues.

4.Irritants - substances that cause inflammatory effects on skin. Household cleaning materials such as
muriatic acid and other cleaning aids are common examples of chemicals that are irritants.

5. Allergens - chemicals or substances that cause allergic reactions.

6. Flammables - liquids or chemicals that can easily be set on fire. Examples are fuel, thinners, and
aerosol cans.

7. Explosives - substances that burst upon impact, temperature change, or chemical reaction.

Examples of hazardous wastes are broken electronic devices, batteries, paint, fuel, solvents, and expired
medicine.

Chemicals
Hazardous wastes may come in the form of chemicals. Chemicals that are harmful to humans and
animals are considered hazardous wastes.

Different Types of Hazardous Chemicals

Solvents, paint, of hazardous thinners, chemicals.pesticides, kerosene, and other petroleum products.

Here are some alternative to hazardous chemicals for household use:

1. All-purpose cleaner- can be made from a vinegar and salt mixture or from tablespoons baking soda
dissolve in one quart warm water.

2. Metal cleaners- clean aluminum with a solution of cream of tartar and water.

Used batteries

Batteries make life more convenient. Most of the gadgets and portable electronics use batteries. They
are also in cars, flashlights, power tools, and even in watches. However, batteries do not last forever. An
alkaline battery is disposed off when its charge depletes, while a rechargeable battery lasts more cycles
due to its being rechargeable. Batteries also come in different shapes and sizes, but all of them have two
elements that combine to make power-an electrolyte and a heavy metal.

The different heavy metals that are found in the batteries are mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel which
can contaminate the environment when the batteries are thrown away.

Types of batteries

1. Lead-acid automobile batteries anlolbeM- These are found in cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

2.Non-automotive lead-based batteries-These are found in cars, trucks, and motorcycles

2. Dry-cell batteries - These are found in consumer electronics like watches, mobile phones, and
flashlights.
b ) Button-cell batteries - These are the batteries found in watches, calculators, and other small
electronic devices.

c) Rechargeable batteries - These are batteries that can be used for more than just one cycle. It comes in
different forms and sizes and can be found in mobile phones, laptops, and digital cameras.

With the number of devices that use batteries, it is certain that a lot of used batteries are going to be
discarded. With the hazardous heavy metals inside them, used batteries must be disposed off properly.

Recycling centers accept batteries for recycling. There are also nongovernment organizations that accept
used batteries to help care for the environment.

Expired Medicines

Expired medicines do not represent a serious threat to the community or to the environment. It may be
harmful if it contaminates the water supply or if it gets into the hands of scavengers and they try to sell
it or consume it. Although most medicines only become less effective after their expiration, they may
also have adverse effects.

Guidelines on Handling Medicines in School or at Home

1. A medicine's expiration date should be visible, if not on the packaging, on its container.

2. Immediately sort out and dispose expired medicines.

3. Avoid contaminating drinking water with expired medicines.

4. Avoid burning expired medicines in low temperature or in open air.

5. Dilute disinfectants before disposing them into the sewage system.

Below is the time it takes for wastes to decompose in the environment.

Proper Waste Management

Do you know what waste management is? Waste management is the collection,transportation,and
disposal of garbage.
Waste Reduction (Reuse)

The most effective way to minimize waste is by not producing waste at all or at least reducing it. The
next best way is by reusing.

Ways to Reuse

Buying used items like art supplies saves money and also helps care for the environment.

Choose reusable over disposable items, like reusable containers and reusable fork and spoon.

Maintain and repair your things so that they do not have to be replaced frequently.

Donating is also a good way to reuse products. By giving them to the less fortunate, you not only help
them, but also help make the environment greener.

Benefits of Reducing and Reusing

1.prevents pollution

2.saves money

3. saves energy

4.reduces the amount of waste

Waste Storage

Why do you need proper waste storage? Proper waste storage is needed to temporarily store the
accumulated wastes safely to keep them away from children and away from pests and rodents.
Guide in Separating Biodegradable from Nonbiodegradable Wastes

1.Always prepare at least two trash bins with cover per room or area. One is labeled "Biodegradable"
and the other is "Nonbiodegradable."

2 . It is advisable to display along with the bins the different kinds of wastes or garbage that belong to
each category.

3.Ensure that the trash bins are secured in place and do not fall to their sides easily.

4. Make sure to keep the bins away from children's reach. dopo

5. Paper waste may temporarily be stored in separate container or boxes for recycling.

6. Use of tight-fitting storage containers is also encouraged to keep the waste

safe from pests and rodents.

Waste Disposal

What are the different ways to get rid of the wastes? There are different to dispose off your waste.
These are by composting and recycling.

Composting

Compost is an alternative to soil in which you can grow plants. Mature compost is a stable material with
a content of humus; it is brown or black and smells like soil.

Composting is the process of making compost. It is done by combining organic wastes such as yard
cuttings, food waste, and manure (animal stool) in proper ratios and setting them aside in a compost pile
for some time.
Benefits of Composting

1. It reduces or eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers.

2. It promotes greater harvests of agricultural crops.

3. It facilitates reforestation and habitat regeneration efforts by adding it to merpolluted soils.

4. It remediates soil contamination by hazardous waste cost effectively.

5.It removes solids, oil, grease, and heavy metals from storm water runoff.

6. It avoids methane formulation in landfills.

7. It reduces the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides.

The Composting Process

One important step in considering composting is understanding how the processworksand also
understanding the elements that must be controlled during composting.

1. Feedstock and nutrient balance - Composting requires a proper balance of green and brown. Green
for grass cuttings, food wastes, and manure, and brown for dry leaves, wood chips, and branches.

2. Moisture content - Microorganisms living in the compost pile need water to survive. The organic
wastes already contain some moisture, but moisture may also come in the form of rainfall or watering.

3. Oxygen flow - The compost pile must be properly aerated to allow decomposition, but too much
oxygen may dry out the pile and delay the composting process.
4. Temperature - Microorganisms require a certain temperature range for ideal operation of the
decomposing process. Certain temperatures promote rapid composting and destroy pathogens and
weed seeds.

Recycling

Recycling is done when nonbiodegradable waste can no longer be reused.

Recycling is the process of collecting and processing wastes and turning them into new products

Benefits of Recycling

1. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.

2. It minimizes pollution by reducing the demand of raw material.

3. It saves energy

Steps in Recycling Materials

1. Collection t and processing - This starts at home when you sort out the wate that can and cannot be
recycled and the when garbage collector out to pick

the recyclable wastes and deliver them to the facilities.

2. Manufacturing - Recycled products' population is fast growing due to the need to take good care for
the environment. Items that contain recycled materials are:

Example:
 Recycled pencil

Soft drink container

Cardboard tubes

Newspaper

3. Buying products that are made from recycled materials - This increases the demand for
products made from recycled materials.

Proper Disposal of Hazardous Wastes

How can you get rid of hazardous wastes? Before throwing away hazardous or dangerous wastes, you
must first identify them so that you may avoid the harm that they can cause.

Hazardous wastes can be subdivided into categories depending on what they can do and how they
respond to the surroundings. Is it a combustible liquid? Is the substance explosive or flammable?

Collection

Waste chemicals must be collected and placed in their individual container. The chemicals must be
compatible with container material (Example: acids must not be placed in a metal container). Glass
containers may be safely used for almost anything.

The container for waste chemicals must be clean and free from any residue of what it was used for.

The containers holding hazardous chemicals must be kept closed so there is no leak or escape of vapors.
Always make sure that the lids are tightly in place. All containers must be properly labeled.

Request for Waste Pick-up or Removal

Contact the local municipal waste department for information on the different establishments that
collect and recycle hazardous wastes. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR
has a list of accredited recovery facilities that collect and manage hazardous wastes.

ACTIVITY I

Identify the correct answer in each statement. Write your answer on the space provided.

_______1. This is a type of gas that paper waste emits when paper eed waste rots. It is 25 times more
toxic than carbon dioxide.

_______2. A type of waste that is generated from the garden, lawn, or backyard.
_______3. It is a type of waste that can be broken down into its base components.

_______4. Aside from heavy metal, it is the other element needed to make power that other batteries
also have.

_______5. This type of battery can be found in cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Answer the following questions correctly.

1. How can you help implement proper waste management at home?

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2. What are the benefits of recycling?

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3. is the best way to dispose hazardous wastes?

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