Unwitting waste disposal may lead to pathogen formation that poses serious threats to human health. Such harmful expansion of waste can be effectively controlled with proper waste management practices.
Waste minimization or source reduction is the most efficient approach to trash disposal. This can be accomplished through recycling used materials, purchasing secondhand products and repairing broken items.
Composting
Composting is one of the best methods for disposing of trash safely and responsibly, providing an alternative to landfill disposal that reduces environmental and human health damage. By composting organic material into nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through microorganism decomposition, composting helps you lower landfill volumes while decreasing amounts of garbage sent there for disposal.
Food waste should always be the lowest priority; however, some organic material cannot be avoided (for instance a banana peel). Instead of throwing this away, use a compost bin instead; alternatively try finding an organic garden or community composting group in your area that accepts these items for recycling.
As a starting point, collect leaves and grass clippings from your yard along with kitchen scraps for composting. Be sure to include woody material like branches and twigs. Also ensure there are enough carbon-rich materials such as branches or twigs in the pile so it stays aerated; this will enable faster composting with reduced methane gas production.
Shredding materials before adding them to a compost pile will speed up its decomposition time, while turning your pile weekly with either a pitchfork or your hands can also speed things up considerably. Furthermore, selecting an area where sunlight will reach it will maximize efficiency of its decomposition process.
Compost can also be used to fertilize your garden or lawn. Apply it instead of the chemical fertilizers that can be harmful to both humans and animals, since its microorganisms aerate the soil while helping it retain water.
Recycling
Recycling refers to the practice of turning used materials back into new ones through industrial processing, and can include papers, glassware, aluminum cans and plastic products. Recycling should be seen as an integral component of modern society and an important way of reducing waste.
Recycling saves natural resources like raw materials, minerals and trees; helping preserve Earth’s habitat for future generations as a result.
However, you should keep certain points in mind when practicing good recycling habits. Separating trash and recyclables to prevent contamination with other substances (some items might not be recyclable otherwise). Furthermore, always clean recyclables before throwing them away by removing food waste and washing plastic items thoroughly before doing so.
Limit your use of single-use items like paper napkins and cups; instead opt for reusable products like washcloths for all of your family members and coffee mugs to reduce waste output considerably. This can drastically cut back on waste production.
Additionally, it’s essential that household hazardous waste such as old paint cans and batteries is safely disposed of – this can be accomplished by calling in a hazardous waste collection service or by donating them directly. The United States currently recycles 30% of its waste compared to Austria which recycles 63% while Brazil and Japan boast even higher rates; Sweden only sends 1% to landfills while recycling 47%.
Landfills
Landfills are one of the oldest and most reliable methods of waste disposal. Landfills are designed to store nonhazardous household and some commercial and industrial waste; most of it will likely be organic-type materials like food waste, paper, yard waste and plastics; only a small portion contains inorganic materials like metal wires and cables that don’t biodegrade within years and remain in the landfills.
Landfills contain harmful toxins that threaten both humans and the environment. Chemicals leak into groundwater supplies, polluting soil, as well as infiltrating our bodies (mercury, PVC, arsenic and lead are examples of such toxic pollutants). Furthermore, waterways can become polluted with these toxins, eventually reaching domestic or public sources that we consume for consumption or cooking use; wildlife as well as humans may be at risk from this contamination.
Landfills also generate greenhouse gases through anaerobic digestion of organic material found within them, creating methane and carbon dioxide as outputs from this process. Methane in particular has proven itself as an extremely potent greenhouse gas, trapping 28 to 36 times more heat in its path than carbon dioxide does.
Landfills present additional limitations: they can become an eyesore in local communities and attract flies, rats and other pests; noise pollution occurs as well as decreased property values. Furthermore, managing landfills requires both time and money.
Garbage Can Cleaning
Trash cans and recycling bins spend most of their lives near homes, making them one of the primary sources of foul odors in a home. Unfortunately, most homeowners fail to regularly clean these items properly; thus creating an unpleasant aroma which attracts rodents and flies.
At last, cleaning your trash cans doesn’t have to be hard or expensive! With Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner’s biodegradable formula containing no bleach, cleaning is now simpler and less time consuming than ever! Just mix with water and scrub away any remaining grime for instant deodorizing and degreasing of the can, keeping its appearance looking like new for good!
At any rate, it’s essential to keep in mind that an unclean trash can is an invitation for bacteria and viral contamination, so regular and thorough cleaning should take place after any food mess or spillage occurs. Rinsing with a garden hose should suffice; otherwise you could manually scrub using toilet brush/broom and then spraying disinfectant into it for added peace of mind.
For optimal results, it’s wise to thoroughly scrub and rinse your trash cans at least twice every year. To save time and effort when taking out trash bags, consider performing quick clean-up sessions every time you take out one – spray it down with disinfectant spray, wipe down before replacing bag, etc.
Beyond regular cleanings, a great way to deodorize your trash cans is placing a sheet of newspaper at the bottom. This will absorb any incidental moisture from food products you dispose of and also serve as an all-natural deodorizer.
You may also look into Rubbish & Trash Bin Rentals to make this process easier for you. With their help, you can enhance your waste management practices and ensure a cleaner, more organized living environment. Explore the benefits of efficient waste disposal with our reliable services.
Storing Trash
If your area offers weekly trash collection, it is imperative that your trash can is completely empty prior to collection day or else any remaining pieces could be collected by the garbage men instead of you and could end up scattered across streets and yards in your community.
To prevent your trashcan from becoming messy and smelly, line it with yesterday’s newspaper to absorb moisture that escapes your trash bags. Also be sure to keep the lid closed at all times to minimize odors and pests! If your neighbors are making too much of your trash can, build a structure such as a trellis or fence to help make it less visible from the street; or plant shrubs and tall ornamental grasses as a living screen around your waste container to hide its sightlines. Check with your city’s public utilities department or homeowner’s association regarding ordinances pertaining to visible trash containers as certain municipalities issue fines to homeowners who leave their garbage cans out too long.
Donating or repairing items you no longer use instead of throwing them out can also help reduce waste in your household and save money at the same time. Donating can also save money and reduce waste.
Time can also be saved by adding wheels to the bottom of your trash can, which will enable it to roll easily back into a closet or other out-of-the-way storage spot once filled up with trash. This is especially beneficial with large garbage cans which may prove more challenging when full.