Question

What is segregation of waste?

Answer 1

Hint:
> It is the first step of the process of waste management.
> It is often done at that place itself where the waste is produced.

Complete answer:
Waste segregation is the process of dividing the waste materials into wet and dry. The dry wastes include wood, paper, glass, metal, plastic etc. The wet wastes include food and plant wastes or organic wastes, which are heavy due to their dampness. This segregation can be also carried out as a segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

> The biodegradable wastes are all the organic wastes and kitchen wastes.
> The non-biodegradable wastes can be further divided into:

- Recycle waste – metal, glass, paper etc.

- Toxic waste – medicines, chemicals, paints

Soiled wastes – hospital wastes, instruments or clothes contaminated with body fluids.
Segregation of waste is the first step in the process of waste management. It is done at that place itself where it was generated. After this waste is segregated and collected it goes through the process of ‘sorting’. At this stage, all the components of the waste are individually sorted out. They are placed in categories like:

> Paper
> Glass
> Plastic
> Textile
> Leather
> Metal
> Toxic/hazardous
> Residual
> Radioactive

Segregation is an important process because if we do not segregate the wastes properly then they will all get mixed up in the landfill. In the landfill they will all decompose and react with each other and produce harmful gases and chemicals. These chemicals will pollute the land and render it useless for the future. The harmful gases emitted will affect the plants and animals in its vicinity and will pose a threat to the environment.

Note:
> While segregating wastes we always think about the pollution it might cause to land and air.
> What we often neglect is the safety of the person handling the wastes. The person handling the wastes should be aware of what he is carrying, whether it glass or metal or some hazardous substance.
> Segregation of wastes is also very important for their safety.