Growing waste problem is the
most basic buzz problem in the world. In this era of globalization and
capitalism, companies and businesses are rapidly creating and innovating
products heavily relying on plastics, e-waste, synthetic fibers, cans,
artificial rubber, and artificial polymer. These kinds of raw materials used in
products which we use in our daily lives are polluting and destroying our
environment. A simple plastic wrapper use in candies and chewing gums here and
there can be a spark of land pollution. I see people being selfish in their own
world and not caring enough about the growing waste problem and ended up in the
conclusion that this is due to illiteracy and lack of literate people around
us.
The most basic solution for this
problem is to nurture the feeling of responsible citizens not just of the
country but the world from an early stage. So, the topic of proper waste
management and modern-day solution for these problems should be taught in
school level education. This is much important topic to be discussed among
today’s generation.
Some of the steps to be
considered for making waste management education effective in schools:
Separate waste
Separating waste is the first
step in managing your school’s rubbish. Set up bins for the different kinds of
waste, and make sure the right bins are used. You should have clearly labeled
bins for glass, paper, plastic, cans and for organic waste.
Reduce waste
Avoid sending waste to a
landfill. Landfills cause environmental problems, such as unpleasant smells and
contaminants and toxins leaching into water and the air. Educate staff and
students about using other ways of disposing of waste, such as recycling,
reusing and composting.
Reuse waste
Think about reusing waste
around the school and the school community, including:
1. Taking lost property to
your local opportunity shop
2. Using plastic bags as bin
liners or as packaging, instead of bubble wrap
3. Having students make
recycled paper and use shredded paper as bedding for pets.
Recycle waste
Contact your local council to
find out what can be recycled in your area. Generally, you can recycle:
1. Glass
2. Paper and cardboard
3. Cans
4. Plastic
Make sure recycling bins are
used correctly and that the items are clean when they go in the bin.
For recycling to work,
educating students and staff is essential. Some local councils help schools to
set up recycling programs and educate their staff and students.
Compost organic waste
Separate organic waste like
food scraps, plants, paper and lawn clippings from other rubbish.
Use organic waste for
composting and teach students about how it works. You can use the compost on
the school gardens, saving on the cost of fertilizer and other chemicals. You
could set up worm farms, which can be used to teach parts of the curriculum.
Search online for tips about
composting. If composting isn't possible:
1. Ask students and teachers
to take organic waste home
2. Find out if local farmers
want organic waste
3. Keep hens at school and
feed them the waste
4. Have the organic waste
composted at the local landfill — it’s generally cheaper to drop organic waste at a landfill than other
wastes
Very few schools still use
incinerators. They're usually only used at remote schools without easy access
to other waste disposal facilities. Incinerators put contaminants into the air
and can be a health hazard.
Using an incinerator
If you still have an
incinerator and the resource consent to use it:
1. Burn only appropriate
materials, for example, don’t burn plastic (the rules for what’s appropriate are different between areas)
2. Make sure the incinerator
is working efficiently
3. Make sure the incinerator
is maintained and regularly cleaned.
Landfills, offal holes or waste pits at
school
Burying waste on school
grounds will almost certainly require resource consent. If you’re thinking of
burying rubbish, contact your local council first.
Use a landfill or waste pit
only as a last resort because they can:
1. Contaminate groundwater
2. Attract pests and be a
health hazard
3. Create unpleasant smells
and dust
4. Take up space and must be
continuously maintained be very expensive to build and maintain.
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