Waste management refers to the various processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. Waste can be solid, liquid, or gases, and each type has different methods of disposal and management. The aim of waste management is to reduce the dangerous effects of such waste on the environment and human health. Waste management deals with all types of waste, including industrial, biological, household, municipal, organic, biomedical, and radioactive wastes.
The prime objective of waste management is to reduce the amount of unusable materials and to avert potential health and environmental hazards. Different activities include collection, monitoring, regulation, and disposal. Waste collection services are often provided for free by the local government. The collected wastes are disposed of by various methods, such as by landfill compaction and incineration. Solid wastes, most especially, are incinerated to reduce their volume by 80 to 95%, and to convert them into gas, steam, ash, and heat. However, air pollution is a concern when disposing of wastes by means of incineration.
An important method of waste management is the prevention of waste material being created, also known as waste reduction. Waste management practices are not uniform among countries (developed and developing nations); regions (urban and rural areas), and residential and industrial sectors can all take different approaches. The way in which waste is managed can have a significant impact on the environment and the entire population’s health, so it’s vital that measures are in place to effectively manage and dispose of these materials. Failure to implement appropriate waste management can lead to environmental pollution, health hazards, and other negative impacts.
