Waste management systems have became a focus of many communities because of the effects of wastage to the environment, therefore an effective way of managing wastage is through zero wastage management.
Zero Waste Management is defined as the process of minimizing the amount of waste generated through the use of eco-friendly products, efficient recycling procedures, and effective waste disposal.
According to the concept of zero waste management it means the use of various techniques and practices designed towards minimizing the quantities of waste produced and disposed in the waste disposal sites towards the achievement of circular economy. Unlike the linear economy where resources are extracted, processed into products that are used, and finally disposed of, the circular economy seeks to maintain resources in the economy for as long as possible through minimizing the use of virgin materials, utilizing products and wastes for as long as they can be useful, recycling, and composting with the purpose of obtaining the highest value out of these resources before they are regenerated.
Zero waste management is an ideology and a process which seeks to lead people in emulating natural rhythms where waste is either minimal or utilized. To avoid negative impacts of waste especially on the environment and human health, communities gain from resource and economic efficiency, job creation and through most importantly through responsible production, consumption, reuse and recovery of products and materials through zero waste management.
While it might be impossible today to reach the state where waste is equal to zero, any community planning for over 90 percent recycling and composting, and thereby keeping less than 10 percent ending up in landfills and incinerators, is heading towards the zero-waste goal. They encourage recycling and disposal of waste at the source and not just recycling and disposal procedures. It is evident that with the appropriate dedication and effort, zero waste plans could be a great advantage to towns, cities and therefore entire regions or countries as a whole.
What Needs to be Done for the Effective Implementation of Zero Waste Management?
As an individual, you can contribute to achieving zero waste management by:As an individual, you can contribute to achieving zero waste management by:
1. Reducing consumption
Be cautious in spending and say no to avoidable consumerism and products that are used once then thrown away. Acquire long-lasting products that require repair and can be utilized repeatedly. Reject nonessential packaging and purchase products in large quantities in other to reduce packaging. Bring lunch in reusable containers and bags, and take a reusable water bottle and coffee mug with you to avoid accumulating waste.
2. Reusing
Eliminate single-use products, or try to replace them with reusable or recycled products. For instance, ban paper towels and suggest using cloth or safety razors instead of disposables; replace disposable plates and cutlery with reusable ones; cloth napkins instead of paper ones; and reusable straws instead of plastic ones. Monday: Recycle – do not discard items but look for innovative ways of using them. Recycling involves giving old but still functional products away or selling them instead of disposing of them.
3. Repairing instead of replacing
There’s usually a way to repair an object and therefore bring it back into use, which not only saves on the environment, but also on your wallet. For minor problems, invest some time and effort to master basic repair techniques, or bring the items to fixers.
4. Recycling properly
While recycling itself will not lead to a zero waste society or solve the waste crisis, it remains necessary where reduction is impossible. It is also very important to understand the general rules of recycling and sort the materials correctly. However, one must bear in mind that not all the collected material can be recycled.
5. Organics: Food and yard waste are organic materials that should be composted.
Composting remains a natural method whereby organic matter is recycled to a kind of soil conditioner and fertilizer. There are options such as home composting or using services that are offered by cities and municipalities can save tonnes of waste from ending up in landfills. Know how to start a compost pile and how to avoid common accidents that may occur.
6. Advocating and Educating
Promote the establishment of recycling and composting where programs are currently nonexistent, and augment currently existing programs. Laws and policies on the reduction of waste generation and the enhancement of sustainability should be supported. Encourage informal education of the family, friends and the society on how to minimize wastage through choices and behaviors. Lead by example. Engage in discussions that raise awareness, in the hope of creating more advocates for change.
Why Bring Your Community Closer To Zero Waste Management
Individual actions are vital, but comprehensive legislative and policy shifts on the municipal level are needed for higher Zero Waste adoption rates. Communities aiming for zero waste management should implement programs and infrastructure including:Communities aiming for zero waste management should implement programs and infrastructure including:
- Collection of recyclables from households and business premises, typically from the street. All recyclables or items that can be recycled should be collected.
- Organic waste disposal companies for collection and treatment of food and yard waste from households and commercial organizations
- Recycling depots, shops where citizens can buy second hand clothes and products and repair shops for mending damaged products
- Recycling station or plants to sort and process the collected wastes to become reusable materials again.
- Collection centers that are easy to access for the disposal of dangerous household items such as chemicals, batteries, and light bulbs.
- These include policy instruments like Pay-As-You-Throw that provides a fee structure for households and businesses for the amount of waste they produce to discourage the generation of wastes and the mixing of waste streams.
- Local laws, measures such as prohibiting the use of the single-use plastic bag and packaging, the law providing for mandatory recycling and composting of wastes within homes and businesses, the law that requires the new buildings to incorporate recycling facilities and space for sorting stations
- Community education campaigns on sorting rules, recycling requirements and general waste minimization policies that will be followed by residents and different kinds of premises.
By providing effective policies and encouraging infrastructural developments and public involvement at the community level, zero waste management enables towns, cities or even a larger region to reclaim the resources, drive economic growth and minimize adverse impacts resulting from waste disposal and disposal on the environmental and social front to further support the circular economy concept. However, any change starts with small actions of people who, together, wields tremendous influence.
