http://www.aihce2007.org

A Closer Look At The Solid Waste Management Hierarchy
User Rating: / 0

Rating 0.0/5 (0 vote)

The approach to solid waste management has been set in hierarchy, avoidance being the first in rank and disposal the last. The hierarchy is set up in a descending order, the first in rank being the most preferred solid waste management strategy and the last being the least preferred. Other waste management strategies included in the hierarchy include reduction, reusing, recycling, recovering and treatment.


Why is avoidance on the top of the hierarchy? Avoidance is the easiest and most effective way to avoid waste. Without waste, there is nothing to manage – thus solves the problem. But how can you avoid waste? Easy things like buying stuffs that have long life, using reusable green bags rather than plastic bags, not throwing papers unless you have used up all the spaces, etc. will help avoid waste disposal. Companies and factories are also embracing the avoidance strategy by finding ways to reduce the waste done during production.

Another effective waste management strategy included in the hierarchy is reusing old products. Reusing a product helps reduce the consumption of the same product and therefore reduces waste disposal. For instance, instead of throwing glass bottles, you can reuse them. If all people will reuse products, imagine how much waste we have reduced. Even in schools, kids are encouraged to reuse. For instance, in art activities, kids can use old stuffs to create new ones.

There are some things that you can’t reuse but you can definitely recycle. For instance, some plastic bottles can just be reused for a couple of times. Instead of throwing them, you can consider recycling them. If you don’t want to recycle them on your own, then you can at least give it to companies or factories that can recycle them. Most factories nowadays use recyclable materials rather than raw materials.

Read more...
 
The Value Of The Individual
User Rating: / 0

Rating 0.0/5 (0 vote)

How can we, as individuals, participate in waste management? Because some of us are so overwhelmed with Earth’s problems, we feel that our contributions have no real consequence in the end. For others, social barriers can be an issue. A lady we once knew confessed that she did not want to be seen buying used items or being concerned with power use. She was worried people would see her as cheap – a scrooge – when the family was so affluent. Yet, she was very careful to be seen with recycling bins out on the curb on pick-up day, because that was thought to be the thing to do socially. Now is a good time to put an end to these negative thoughts and feelings of false pride. Waste reduction is not about ego - it is about the health of the planet and of our nation.


Communities would be wise to look at Nova Scotia’s waste reduction success and try to emulate it in their area. With the highest waste reduction rates in Canada, Nova Scotia has reduced landfill contributions by 46% - saving about $31 million per year - simply by making the most of the organic and recyclable materials. Curbside recycling service (Blue Box) is available to 99% of its residents and 76% now enjoy curbside organic service (a.k.a. Green Box).

Read more...
 
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next > End >>

Results 1 - 5 of 30