Source reduction, also referred to as pollution prevention or waste prevention refers to the elimination or prevention of waste before it gets created. This involves the use of products with the capacity to reduce the toxicity or amount of what is disposed of. The major methods of source reduction include recycling, landfilling, composting, and incineration. Recycling refers to the conversion of waste into reusable materials. For instance, plastic bags are recycled and converted into usable toilet paper. Recycling helps in reducing the usage of energy and cuts down on the consumption of raw materials while at the same time reducing both water and air pollution (McKinney, Schoch and Yonavjak, 2007). It reduces the need for conventional waste disposal and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Composting is also a volume of waste reduction technique that diverts volumes of waste material from their waste stream. Grass clippings and leaves are some of the solid wastes that can be reduced by the active composting process. Organic wastes are decomposed and could be reused in making the soil fertile for agriculture. The composted material becomes less bulky and is much easier and more pleasant to handle. The process of composting also eliminates and reduces a decline in the availability of nitrogen that occurs when organic waste such as sawdust mix with the soil (McKinney, Schoch, and Yonavjak, 2007). Additionally, Compost application tends to lower incidences of plant leaf and root diseases. Incineration, on the other hand, involves burning waste which reduces it by a significant percentage (Cheremisinoff and MyiLibrary, 2003). While the contaminants can be concentrated after through this technique resulting in hazardous waste, some countries require that the residual ash from the burning of solid waste be landfilled in compartments that are only used for the incinerator ash. Incineration uses minimum land thus saving natural resources and can be operated in any weather. It also produces a stable and odorless residue in addition to reducing the refuse volume by half. Landfilling refers to a system of garbage and trash disposal whereby the waste gets buried between layers of earth and builds up low-lying land. Landfilling is a cheap waste disposal method and creates jobs for the people. Gases from landfills can be collected and used for purposes such as heating. The filled land can also be reused for important community purposes (McKinney, Schoch, and Yonavjak, 2007).
Conclusion
Solid waste management has become an important issue across the world. Various methods of waste disposal depend on the type of waste material that is to be disposed of. Recyclable materials help in cutting down the amount of total waste and saving natural resources, while other methods reduce the toxicity of the waste.
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References
Cheremisinoff, N. P., & MyiLibrary. (2003). Handbook of solid waste management and waste minimization technologies. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann.
McKinney, M. L., Schoch, R. M., & Yonavjak, L. (2007). Environmental science: Systems and solutions . Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.
Friis, R. H. (2007). Essentials of environmental health . Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett.
