Reflection- Activity 3rd
1) Do you think the current waste management in your school is effective?
I think that the current waste management practices in our school are
effective and to a large extent efficient also. The waste produced in our school
is categorized into two types: wet/biodegradable waste and dry/recyclable
waste, following the two-bin concept. The wet waste is usually used for
composting in the school's backyard, while the dry waste is collected in sacks
and given to the garbage collector, we especially hired on the sake of our
motive and requests. Additionally, single-use plastic containers and wrappers
are repurposed by making eco bricks out of them. Along with it, used
cardboards and answer sheets are used in creative repurposing by the
students themselves.
These practices have improved our waste management compared to the past, and
we hope continuing our efforts will give us better results, helping our environment
and its components.
2) Where does the waste go from your school bins?
In our school, we follow a two-bin concept for waste segregation. Inside the
classrooms, we have bins for biodegradable waste, such as pencil shavings,
fruit peels and tissues. In the corridors of each floor, we have two common
bins for dry waste, including paper, plastic wrappers, and pens. The peons
collect the waste from these bins and transport it to designated locations. The
wet waste is dumped into a composting pit in our school's backyard, where
it's converted into nutrient-rich compost. Meanwhile, the dry waste is
collected and handed over to the Waste Warriors garbage van, which
takes it to the Waste Bank for further processing and recycling.
In conclusion, the waste initially segregates into two categories and ultimately
wet waste goes into the composting pit made in the backyard, while dry waste
is taken to the recycling centre.
This system ensures that our waste is managed efficiently and sustainably.
3) Why do we have waste dumps in cities?
The proliferation of waste dumps in cities can be largely attributed to:
● A widespread lack of awareness about sustainable waste management
practices.
● Unavailability of convenient options, that are to be provided by the
government for securing their citizen’s life and environment.
● Dearth of scientific temperament can be a grassroot factor in piling up
of large dumps; ultimately they are either burnt or used in landfilling.
Many individuals tend to dispose of waste haphazardly, without
segregation, into common dustbins. This practice leads to the mixing of
different types of waste, making it extremely challenging for waste
workers to separate and treat the waste effectively. As a result,
enormous quantities of waste accumulate, ultimately ending up in
landfills. This not only poses environmental and health risks but also
unfolds the demanding need for education on sustainable waste
management with a scientific temperamen.
4) Where are the waste dumps usually located?
Waste dumps are often situated in areas far from residential zones, such as:
● Abandoned lands/barren lands
● Open fields
● Remote areas/near forests
These locations typically have limited human presence, except for waste
workers who scavenge for valuable materials. But more often, it has been
noticed that many houses come into existence near the waste dumps,
belonging to starving poor people, often being diseased due to pathogens
flying from waste dumps to their houses.
The waste dumped in these areas comes from various sources, including:
● Municipal corporation
● Societies
● Private sectors
● Public places (markets, factories, big firms)
5) What happens when the landfill's waste dumps fill up? What if your house is
near to a dumpsite – How would you feel?
Once waste dumps or landfills reach their capacity, the land is either left as it is or
the dump is shoveled beneath soil and pebbles. In some cases, the reclaimed land is
converted into public spaces like playgrounds through landfilling the waste dump, or
utilized for small shops and factories, providing employment opportunities for
nearby residents. For instance, the locality we reside in faces a huge concern of open
municipal waste dumping that results in countless environmental and social
concerns. To deal with this problem on initial level composting and repurposing is
recommended, and recycling along with sanitary landfilling is recommended
If my house was really near a dump yard, I would have felt uncomfortable due
to unpleasant odors and sights. The spatial relationship to waste could attract
pests and rodents, increasing the risk of disease transmission. There would
always be a fear about property values and quality of life. More than that, the
environmental impact of pollution and contamination could affect not only my
well being but also the surrounding ecosystem. Affecting me, my pace of life
and lifestyle, my future generation, and along with this all the cost of living
would have been sacrificed.
That’s why it has become crucial to take measures to reduce these risks and
promote better waste management practices in the area.
6) What are the problems that are associated with the ways in which cities
manage their waste?
Cities worldwide face numerous challenges in managing waste effectively.
Key problems include:
● Rapid urbanization and population growth, leading to a significant
increase in heterogeneous waste from households, industries, and
commercial establishments.
● Due to lack of awareness most of the people are alienated to sustainable
waste management practices. This also makes them vulnerable to
inappropriate management practices, often resulting in spread of
diseases and infections.
● Inadequate waste collection systems, resulting in overflowing
dumpsites, littering, and unsightly conditions. And inefficient waste
transportation contributes drastically to air pollution and traffic
congestion.
● Insufficient waste treatment infrastructure, leading to waste
accumulation in landfills, potential contamination of drinking water,
and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue.
● Informal waste sector challenges, including hazardous working
conditions, lack of safety measures, and environmental
unsustainability.
These issues underscore the need for effective waste management strategies to
mitigate the environmental and health impacts of urban waste.
7) Is the current waste management system linear or circular?
Our current waste management system inside school premises and our homes
is "circular". This is evident through practices like:
● Recycling and upcycling: Dry waste is sent to recycling centres and
discarded electrical devices are sent for upcycling and repair.
● Creative repurposing: Single-use plastic wrappers are transformed into
ecobricks, used to build dustbins and furniture.
● Reuse and recycling: Pens are refilled with new ink, and old ones are
recycled.
● Composting and rotting: Wet waste collected in school is turned into
compost.
● Handing over: old clothes which don’t fit us well are given to the
needfuls and school books are given to the coming successors.
These practices reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainability,
characteristic of a circular economy. By adopting such approaches, we
minimize environmental impact and foster a more eco-friendly future.
Waste Management in Cities: Circular or Linear?
Cities' waste management systems can be either circular or linear:
Linear Waste Management
● Take, make, dispose is the approach
● Resources are used once and thrown away
● Waste ends up in landfills
● Examples- Municipal waste management system practices in my locality.
Circular Waste Management
● Closed-loop system where waste is reused, recycled, or recovered
● Resources are conserved and waste is minimized.
● Items thought to be waste can be turned into treasure
● Examples: recycling programs, composting, waste-to-energy initiatives
Many cities are shifting towards circular waste management to reduce
waste, conserve resources, and promote sustainability.
8) How do we think waste is managed in those ways currently?
Waste in cities is managed in various ways currently due to a combination of factors,
including:
● Lack of infrastructure: Inadequate waste collection and disposal
systems.
● Rapid urbanization: Cities are growing rapidly, putting pressure on
existing waste management systems.
● Limited resources: Insufficient funding and resources for effective
waste management.
● Public awareness: Limited awareness about proper waste disposal
practices among citizens.
● Inadequate policies: Weak regulations and enforcement mechanisms.
These factors contribute to the prevalence of improper waste management
practices, such as burning, dumping, and littering, in many cities.
9) How do our current waste management affect our health and environment
Impact of Waste Management on Health and Environment:
● Our current waste management practices can have significant effects on both
human health and the environment.
● Poor waste management can lead to disease transmission through
contaminated water, air, and food. It can also cause respiratory problems due
to toxic pollutants from burning waste.
● Furthermore, improper disposal of hazardous waste can result in physical
harm and infections. Environmentally, waste pollution contaminates soil,
water, and air, harming ecosystems and wildlife, and contributes to climate
change through methane emissions from landfills.
● To mitigate these impacts, adopting proper waste segregation, recycling,
composting, and waste-to-energy initiatives is crucial for creating a healthier
and more sustainable environment.
10)Do you think the problems in the case studies occur in other parts of the
country as well?
Yes, these problems are prevalent in many parts of the country. Burning of
waste, dumping in oceans, improper landfilling, and littering are widespread
issues that affect not only local environments but also have broader ecological
and health implications. These practices contribute to pollution, harm
wildlife, and pose significant risks to human health, underscoring the need for
effective waste management strategies and practices across all regions.
Versions of the crisis enlisted in the case study in my locality:
● Water body contamination due to ill treatment like throwing dry waste
in the water body, and animals dying in the water body.
● Burning of dry and wet waste both is a huge crisis which results in
numerous hazardous conditions such as air pollution and degradation
of the land it was burned on.
