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Waste Segregation: Why Is Sorting Junk Necessary?

Proper waste disposal is one of the essential measures to respond to the global problem of the massive production of junk. Every nation takes part in this worthy cause by devising integrated mechanisms that are sustainable, efficient, and socially supported.

Segregation, or the separation of waste according to kind, is a crucial element in waste management. The critical aspect of waste segregation is it can be delegated to all stakeholders or decentralized waste management, starting from every household in which most waste originates. Through this method, the junk will not all end up in dumpsites or landfills, and the reliance on waste incineration will also be reduced.

To segregate wet and dry waste

Separating the wet from the dry is basic in waste segregation. It prevents the mixing of both materials that result in the creation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It also the chance to see what junk is still useful, the items that need careful handling, and the ones that have no use and need to be discarded.

Wet waste includes vegetables, peels, leftover foodstuff, and other organic junk, and this junk can be treated at home, for example, by using it as manure in the garden. On the other hand, dry waste consists of plastics, metals, glass, paper, and cans, which can all be recycled. They cannot be mixed with wet waste because it will reduce the quality of these recyclables due to contamination. The result – they will no longer be reusable.

To save recyclable materials

The development in waste management includes the lessening, minimizing, and recycling of waste. The reduce-reuse-recycle or 3Rs campaign garnered an overwhelming response from the international community and is seen as a useful tool to save energy. Now, recycling facilities operate in almost all parts of the globe, and raw materials are spared from further extraction. Garbage collectors and junk removal Washington DC companies are also oriented with this process to ensure all recyclable materials will be saved for reuse and reselling.

To properly dispose of hazardous junk

Another kind of waste that is vital to segregate is hazardous junk. This includes medicines, dried paint, batteries, old bulbs, and other toxic waste. They require special handling and, if not done, may result in severe health and environmental problems. The typical effect of the improper disposal of these waste items is the contamination of water sources due to the spilling of toxic chemicals into the soil. This occurrence will endanger not only the quality of water but also the lives of every living organism, including humans. There are disposal facilities designed to permanently contain toxic waste and prevent the discharge of harmful pollutants into the environment.

To encourage people to do the same thing

Waste segregation at home is the first step to contribute to waste management efforts. It is also an effective way to help others to do the same until the entire community realizes this collective responsibility. Through exchanging of ideas and sharing of experiences, waste segregation will no longer be a hard task to fulfill.

There is always a solution to every problem. What matters more is how and when to act to resolve such problems.