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Waste Management
Seen Environmental Learning Information Sheet no 11
What is waste?
Waste is usually considered to be an item that is no longer wanted or no longer useful. Every day millions of waste items are thrown away from homes, schools, offices and factories. Waste can be anything from leaves and branches to plastic packaging, old newspapers and even cars. What one person thinks of as waste may be different from what another person thinks of as waste and this also changes over time and from country to country. What many people do not realize though is that most waste is produced BEFORE we buy anything. For example hundreds of tons of rock or surface material are removed to find the diamond that weighs a few grams in a ring. In addition more materials and large amounts of energy are often needed to recycle waste into reusable forms. This is shown in the waste hierarchy diagram above.
Information Sheet No 11
Information Sheet No 11
Information Sheet No 11
Information Sheet No 11
Theme: Development and the Environment Topic No 11: Waste Management Ideas to stress in your teaching and learning
Waste is any item that is no longer wanted or is useful. There are different types of waste: each causes different problems and should be disposed of in a different way Most waste is produced in the manufacture of goods. The most effective way to limit waste is to reduce what we use. Responsibility for waste needs to be shared between manufacturers and consumers. To change wasteful/harmful manufacturing practices, people need to demand change. Reducing, recycling and reusing are three ways we can limit our own waste. Few rural areas in Namibia have waste collection systems. Schools and communities should work together and develop their own strategies to reduce, collect and dispose of waste safely.
Glossary
Biodegradable Made of substances that will decay relatively quickly as a result of the action of bacteria, and breakdown into elements such as carbon that are recycled naturally. To breakdown organic matter from a complex from to a simpler one, mainly through the action of bacteria. An increase in the worlds temperatures, believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect and the depletion of the ozone layer. Gases such as carbon dioxide, ozone, or water vapour that contribute to the warming of the Earths atmosphere by reflecting radiation from the Earths surface. The natural conditions and environment in which a plant, animal or person lives. Relating to, derived from, or characteristic of living things. To process used or waste material so that it can be used again. Relating to the maintenance of public health and hygiene, especially the water supply and waste disposal system.
Information Sheet No 11