“DEVELOPING AND MANAGING EFFICIENT
GARBAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM”
A Submission in Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Award of Activity Points
By
REUBEN A JOSEPH
1IC21ME410
Bangalore, India
December 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SL.NO CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER
1 Introduction 3
2 Importance of segregation of wet waste and dry waste 8
3 Activities conducted 9
4 Results and Findings 11
5 Observations and Learnings 18
6 Attachments 19
7 Annexure 22
8 Reference 23
INTRODUCTION
The word garbage originally meant chicken giblets and other entrails, as can be seen in the
15th century Boke of Kokery, which has a recipe for Garbage.
What constitutes garbage is highly subjective, with some individuals or societies tending to
discard things that others find useful or restorable. The words garbage, refuse, rubbish, trash,
and waste are generally treated as interchangeable when used to describe “substances or
objects which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard”. Some of these terms
have historic distinctions that are no longer present. In the 1880s, material to be disposed of
was divided into four general categories: ashes (derived from the burning of coal or wood),
garbage, rubbish, and street-sweepings.
Garbage, trash, rubbish, or refuse is waste material that is discarded by humans, usually due
to a perceived lack of utility. The term generally does not encompass bodily waste products,
purely liquid or gaseous wastes, or toxic waste products. Garbage is commonly sorted and
classified into kinds of material suitable for specific kinds of disposal.
Garbage, the technical term for putrescent organic matter such as kitchen or food scraps, was
fed to pigs and other livestock or boiled down in a process known as “rendering,” to extract
fats, oils, and greases for manufacturing lubricants, or allowed to dry to become commercial
fertilizer. Rubbish, a broad category of dry goods including boxes, bottles, tin cans, or
virtually anything made from wood, metal, glass, and cloth, could be transformed into new
consumer products through a variety of reclamation methods.
The distinction between terms used to describe wet and dry discarded material "was
important in the days when cities slopped garbage to pigs, and needed to have the wet
material separated from the dry", but has since dissipated.
Humans have been creating garbage throughout history, beginning with bone fragments left
over from using animal parts and stone fragments discarded from tool making. The degree to
which groups of early humans began engaging in agriculture can be estimated by examining
the type and quality of animal bones in their garbage. Garbage from prehistoric or pre-
civilization humans was often collected into mounds called middens, which might contain
things such as “a mix of discarded food, charcoal, shell tools, and broken pottery”.
STEPS FOR GARBAGE WASTE SYSTEM
1. Identify Wastes
The University provides safe, effective, and efficient waste management services for
managing nonhazardous solid waste, recyclable waste, and hazardous waste. The University
community is responsible for identifying the type of waste produced and using the
appropriate University management system.
2. Evaluate Waste
The University community must evaluate their waste for its physical, chemical, and
biological characteristics to determine how it is to be properly managed.
A waste may be:
Recyclable material (e.g., paper, soda cans)
Compostable organic waste (e.g. food, animal bedding, biodegradable plastics)
Non-hazardous solid waste
Hazardous radioactive waste: containing or contaminated with a radioactive isotope
Hazardous biological waste: containing or contaminated with an infectious or
potentially infectious agent, a biological toxin, animal carcasses, genetically modified
organisms, recombinant DNA, etc.
Hazardous chemical waste: waste chemicals, products which are chemical in nature
(cleaning agents, paint, motor oil, and pharmaceutics), products that contain
chemicals (fluorescent lamps, thermometers), or materials contaminated with
chemicals (contaminated soil or rags)
Otherwise Regulated Material: asbestos, car batteries, contaminated soil, and
construction debris
3. Manage Wastes
Once wastes have been identified and evaluated, the University community must manage it
according to applicable University of Minnesota waste management instructions. These waste
management instructions have been developed to keep the University in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations and to promote a safe and healthy workplace.
EFFICIENT GARBAGE WASTE SYSTEM
Waste disposal, the collection, processing, and recycling or deposition of the waste materials
of human society. Waste is classified by source and composition. Broadly speaking, waste
materials are either liquid or solid in form, and their components may be either hazardous or
inert in their effects on health and the environment. The term waste is typically applied to
solid waste, sewage (wastewater), hazardous waste, and electronic waste.
Landfill
In this process, the waste that cannot be reused or recycled are separated out and spread as a
thin layer in low-lying areas across a city. A layer of soil is added after each layer of garbage.
However, once this process is complete, the area is declared unfit for construction of
buildings for the next 20 years. Instead, it can only be used as a playground or a park.
Incineration
Incineration is the process of controlled combustion of garbage to reduce it to incombustible
matter such as ash and waste gas. The exhaust gases from this process may be toxic, hence it
is treated before being released into the environment. This process reduces the volume of
waste by 90 per cent and is considered as one of the most hygienic methods of waste
disposal. In some cases, the heat generated is used to produce electricity. However, some
consider this process, not quite environmentally friendly due to the generation of greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Waste Compaction
The waste materials such as cans and plastic bottles are compacted into blocks and sent for
recycling. This process prevents the oxidation of metals and reduces airspace need, thus
making transportation and positioning easy.
Biogas Generation
Biodegradable waste, such as food items, animal waste or organic industrial waste from food
packaging industries are sent to bio-degradation plants. In bio-degradation plants, they are
converted to biogas by degradation with the help of bacteria, fungi, or other microbes. Here,
the organic matter serves as food for the micro-organisms. The degradation can happen
aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen). Biogas is generated as a result
of this process, which is used as fuel, and the residue is used as manure.
Composting
All organic materials decompose with time. Food scraps, yard waste, etc., make up for one of
the major organic wastes we throw every day. The process of composting starts with these
organic wastes being buried under layers of soil and then, are left to decay under the action of
microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
This results in the formation of nutrient-rich manure. Also, this process ensures that the
nutrients are replenished in the soil. Besides enriching the soil, composting also increases the
water retention capacity. In agriculture, it is the best alternative to chemical fertilizers.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is the process of using worms for the degradation of organic matter into
nutrient-rich manure. Worms consume and digest the organic matter. The by-products of
digestion which are excreted out by the worms make the soil nutrient-rich, thus enhancing the
growth of bacteria and fungi. It is also far more effective than traditional composting.
TYPES OF WASTE
Biodegradable waste
These are the wastes that come from our kitchen and it includes food remains, garden waste,
etc. Biodegradable waste is also known as moist waste. This can be composted to obtain
manure. Biodegradable wastes decompose themselves over a period of time depending on the
mater.
Non-biodegradable waste
These are the wastes which include old newspapers, broken glass pieces, plastics, etc. Non-
biodegradable waste is known as dry waste. Dry wastes can be recycled and can be reused.
Non-biodegradable wastes do not decompose by themselves and hence are major pollutants.
Industrial Waste
These are the wastes created in factories and industries. Most industries dump their wastes in
rivers and seas which cause a lot of pollution. Example: plastic, glass, etc.
Chemical waste
Chemical wastes are wastes that are made from harmful chemicals which are mostly
produced in large factories. Chemical wastes may or may not be hazardous. A chemical waste
which is hazardous can be solid, liquid or gaseous and will show hazardous characteristics
like toxicity, corrosivity, ignitability, and reactivity.
Commercial Waste
Commercial wastes are produced in schools, colleges, shops, and offices. Example: plastic,
paper, etc.
Domestic Waste
The different household wastes which are collected during household activities like cooking,
cleaning, etc. are known as domestic wastes. Example: leaves, vegetable peels, excreta, etc.
Agricultural Waste
Various wastes produced in the agricultural field are known as agricultural wastes. Example:
cattle waste, weed, husk, etc.
IMPORTANCE OF SEGREGATION OF WET WASTE AND DRY
WASTE
Waste management is important because it reduces the effect of pollution on the environment
and nature. It can also help reduce or reuse the waste materials that are harmful for the
environment such as plastic, glass, Styrofoam, thermocol, etc. and many more.
Waste segregation is the separation of wet waste and dry waste. The generation of waste is
unavoidable, and the materials carried in this waste impacts human and environmental health.
Naturally, waste management is something that must be carried out, and one way to do this
meticulous segregation of wet and dry waste, so that dry waste can be recycled and wet waste
can be composted.
When we segregate waste, there is reduction of waste that reaches landfills and occupies
space. Air and water pollution rates are considerably reduced, and makes it easier to apply
different processes – composting, recycling and incineration can be applied to different kinds
of waste.
It is important to make sure that wet waste is thrown out of the house on a daily basis. Dry
waste can be discarded twice or thrice a week. Ensure that plastic containers thrown in the
dry waste bin are void of any food residue.
Waste Segregation is the first step in a compliant waste management plan that will help the
save the environment and improve the quality of the atmosphere we live in. It really does
matter which bin you put the garbage into.
If done in a proper manner, waste management not only eliminates the surrounding waste, but
also will reduce the intensity of the greenhouse gases like methane, carbon monoxide which
gets emitted from the wastes accumulated. The depth of the existing landfills will be also
curbed, thereby cutting down whatever is toxic to the environment. The number of fossil
fuels will also get reduced in this manner, leading to a cleaner and a greener environment.
ACTIVITY CONDUCTED
Efficient garbage disposal system
Above activities is divided into three simple task.
Task 1
Segregation of waste
Aim:
To segregate the waste as wet waste and dry waste.
About Activity:
This activity is about segregating a wastes into two different waste (Wet waste and Dry
waste). Take the two buckets or bags with different color (White and Green could be better)
and write it down or note it down as Wet waste and Dry waste. Separate the dry waste such
as plastics bags, bottles, papers, etc. into one bucket or bag and the wet waste such as fruits/
vegetables wastes, food wastes, etc. Take a photo of the waste which we segregated and add
to story in Instagram and tagging @cognition_bangalore. In story, challenge our followers to
do the same task.
Outcome:
No one did the waste segregation. They just post a same story as I did and it's a little
disappointed for me. But I hope they are doing segregation of waste in their house.
Task 2
Survey of segregation of waste
Aim:
To take a survey of segregation of waste in our neighbors/ friends house and fill the google
forms.
About Activity:
This activity is about taking a survey of segregation of waste in our neighbors/ friends house
whether they are segregating the wastes or not. Visit the house of neighbors/ friends, asking
them about segregation of waste and fill the google form. Ask them if they are doing, when
they started to do, what is waste segregation according to you, what is the motivation factor
for you doing it. If they are not doing, ask them why they are not doing and spread an
awareness on waste segregation to them. And take a photo of conversation with neighbors/
friends.
Outcome:
I got seven responses. In seven, five of them were doing waste segregation and two of them
were not. I took five photo of conversation with them and two of them were not ready to take
pictures because of their privacy.
Task 3
Make paper bags from paper waste
Aim:
To collect the paper waste and make the paper bags out of them and give it to the shops.
About Activity:
This activity is about collecting the paper waste (Newspapers, magazines, etc.) from house/
neighbors and make the paper bags out of them. Take a sheet of newspaper and paste it with
glue. Fold one side and bring a another side to first side which we fold and paste it. Now
there will be a two gap, top and bottom. Fold one side of a hole and paste it by watching a
YouTube video then open it. Stick a thread at top of the bag. Take a photos of making paper
bag. At last give it to the nearby shops and take a photo of that.
Outcome:
I did paper bags out of paper waste (Newspaper) and gave it to a shop.
RESULTS AND FINDING
In this pie chart, six of them were accepted to take part in this survey (85.7%) except one of
them was not (14.3%) .
In above picture, is name of the seven participants.
In above picture, is age of the seven participants.
In this bar chart, the place of the seven participants where they lives.
In Above picture, no participants filled their contact details because of privacy.
In this pie chart, where were the place of stay of seven participants.
In this pie chart, six of them are male (85.7%) and one of them is female (14.3%).
In this bar chart, it’s about educational qualifications of the seven participants.
In this bar chart, it’s about what is waste segregation according to the seven participants.
In this pie chart, five of them are doing waste segregation (71.4%) and two of them are not
doing waste segregation (28.6%).
In this bar chart, when did the seven participants were started doing waste segregation.
In this bar chart, what is the motivational factor for the seven participants to start doing waste
segregation.
In this bar chart, the two responses who were not doing waste segregation are not interested
to do waste segregation.
In this pie chart, seven of them were said that municipality will take fine for not segregating
waste.
In this pie chart, six of them were pledged to follow an awareness on waste segregation
(85.7%) and one of them were not ready to do that (14.3%).
OBSERVATION AND LEARNING
Task 1
I did waste segregation in two plastic bags, one is white plastic bag for wet waste and another
one is green plastic bag for dry waste.
While segregating waste I got to know the importance of waste segregation. It’s good for
environmental and we can reuse/ recycle the waste. By recycling, wet waste for plants,
vermicomposting, etc. and dry waste for craft work, bags, etc.
Task 2
I created a google form out of my mail account for surveying. I went to my neighbors/ friends
house to take survey/ asking about waste segregation, they are doing or not, when did they
start, what was the motivation to do that, what do you mean be waste segregation, etc. After
that, fill the google form completely according to their participants answers.
While asking them the questions, the answers which they gave is very useful to me, through
that I got to know more about the segregation of waste and it’s motivated me to do
segregation of waste.
Task 3
I collected newspapers from my house and friends house. And I make a paper bags out of
them by watching a YouTube video. To make a paper bag, scissors, newspapers, glue and
thread are required.
I learned making paper bags and got the knowledge of instead of throwing/ wasting it can
recycle it or giving it to nearly shops. And even I can use it instead of using plastic bags.
ATTACHMENTS
Task 1
Screenshot of posting waste segregation and tagging @cognition_bangalore and challenging
my followers.
Task 2
Five conversation pictures of participants which I took survey of waste segregation.
*Two of the participants are not ready to take pictures because of their privacy.
Task 3
Picture of making paper bags and giving it to a shop.
ANNEXURE
What is waste segregation?
According to you what is waste segregation?
When did you start doing it?
What is a motivation to do that?
What is a importance of waste segregation?
Are you doing it by interest?
What is a reason you are not segregating waste?
Why are you segregating waste?
How did you segregate waste?
What will you do after segregation of waste?
Do you recycle it or not?
What you will do recycle?
REFERENCES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage
https://policy.umn.edu/operations/environment-proc05
https://byjus.com/biology/waste-disposal/
https://www.shaktiplasticinds.com/dry-waste-and-wet-waste-management-how-to-
segregate-waste/
https://byjus.com/chemistry/waste/
