About Waste - Kushaagra Innovations Foundation

BASICS OF WASTE

WHAT IS WASTE?

In our day-to-day life we use various resources – natural and manmade for our necessity, convenience, and luxury. These resources during their use or after we finish using them become waste, as they are of no further use to us. Unfortunately, this very stage is where waste problems start.

SOAP COVERS?

A soap cover is required to prevent the soap from getting wet, BUT the same soap cover becomes a waste as soon as we remove the soap for use.

BANANA PEEL?

You feel like eating a banana, BUT a banana peel has to be thrown after eating the banana as it becomes a waste.

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

Waste in itself is not a problem, but lack of proper disposal techniques make waste problems worse.

We tend to discard the resource after our use and want to throw it away as quickly as possible.

We may not wait to find a dustbin to throw it at times.

If we find a dustbin, we think my responsibility is done.

It is a perfect example of – Out of sight, out of mind.

Only when we see heaps of waste along roads, rivers, beaches that we realise that this is not right.

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

Waste in itself is not a problem, however if it is not disposed off properly, it becomes a problem.

We tend to discard the resource after our use and want to throw it away as quickly as possible.

We may not wait to find a dustbin to throw it at times.

If we find a dustbin, we think my responsibility is done.

It is a perfect example of – Out of sight, out of mind.

Only when we see heaps of waste along roads, rivers, beaches that we realise that this is not right.

ARE WASTE PROBLEMS NEW?

NO! Waste is not a new problem, however the quantity of waste generated by each person has increased and thus it has become a major challenge to channelize waste properly.
Our population has also grown, resulting in increased waste generation.
Our reliance on plastics and non-biodegradable waste has grown.
A characteristic of dumped waste is that it attracts more waste and quickly becomes a heap.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WASTE?

Health

Waste dumps attract vector borne disease causing insects, and thus directly affect human health.

Environment Pollution

The contamination of physical and biological components of the earth/atmosphere system is happened to such an extent that normal environmental processes are adversely affected.

Land Pollution

The water that leaks from the waste as it decomposes has harmful chemicals that drain into the soil and pollute it.

Air Pollution

Waste emits obnoxious smells as it rots, the dust particles from the waste cause air pollution. Burning of waste, a quick way for disposal used by many, releases poisonous gases like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and polycyclic organic matter (POMs), etc.

Water Pollution

The plastic and waste find their way in our water bodies and chokes up the natural water flow as well as kills the aquatic life in the water.

Other

Waste attracts stray animals, providing them an unhealthy source of easy food.