Question

We often observe domestic waste decomposing in the bylanes of our homes. List four ways to make the residents aware that the improper disposal of wastes is harmful to the environment and also for their own health.

Answer 1

Domestic waste:

• The domestic waste is also known as the household waste. The domestic waste are discarded or waste generated in houses.
• The domestic waste is either biodegradable or nonbiodegradable. The biodegradable waste includes substances like fruit peels, leaves, vegetables, or rotten food.
• The non-biodegradable waste includes materials like plastic containers, pen refills, shampoo bottles etc.

Four harmful effects of improper waste disposal:

• The non-biodegradable substances can enter the food chain if they are discarded or disposed of along with the biodegradable substances.
• The disposal of the biodegradable waste, if improper, can become a breeding ground for the growth of the germs that cause diseases like diarrhea.
• Improper disposal can cause accidental leakage by the rainfall into the water body or natural ecosystems that can affect the quality of the water. This water will become contaminated or unfit for human use as well.
• The waste that decomposes in the open also causes a foul smell that causes air pollution and affects the health of living organisms.

Increasing awareness:

• For the proper segregation, two types of dustbins can be placed in the locality labeled as ‘biodegradable’ and ‘nonbiodegradable’ or using two different colors for these two garbage tins.
• Increasing awareness about the spread of the disease from the garbage heaps.
• Providing information related to composting to minimize waste.
• Encouraging the residents to reuse and recycle the products.