Sustainable Resources Management: Waste and Water

Waste Management

Types of Waste by Origin

  • Hospital Waste: Generated in medical activities (e.g., syringes).
  • Industrial Waste: Produced in industrial processes (e.g., oils, textiles).
  • Urban Waste: From households (e.g., paper, plastic).
  • Agricultural Waste: From farms (e.g., animal waste, fertilizers).

Types of Waste by Hazard

  • Hazardous Waste: Harms living beings and the environment (toxins, radiation).
  • Non-Hazardous Waste: No harm to living beings or the environment.

Types of Waste by Decomposition

  • Biodegradable Waste: Decomposes by microorganisms.
  • Non-Biodegradable Waste: Does not decompose naturally, pollutes the environment.

Sustainable Waste Management Hierarchy

  1. Prevention (most desired).
  2. Reduction
  3. Reuse
  4. Recycling
  5. Treatment
  6. Landfill Disposal (least desired).

Waste Treatment Options

  • Selective Waste Collection
  • Incineration: Burning waste.
    • Advantages: Produces electricity, reduces waste volume.
    • Disadvantages: High costs, releases gases, produces toxic ashes.
  • Sanitary Landfill: Waste compacted and covered with soil.
    • Advantages: Low costs, produces biogas.
    • Disadvantages: Needs large areas, potential soil contamination, odors.
  • Composting: Organic waste transformed into fertilizer.
    • Advantages: Reduces landfill waste, produces biogas and natural fertilizer.
    • Disadvantages: Attracts insects, only for organic waste.

Recycling

  • Collection, sorting, processing, and transformation of materials into new products.
  • Advantages include reducing landfill waste, preserving resources, reducing pollution, saving energy, and reducing waste volume.

Waste Separation

  • To Deposit:
    • Plastic packaging
    • Tetra-pak packaging
    • Cans
    • Plastic bags
    • Cardboard boxes, magazines, and newspapers
    • Writing and printing paper
    • Bottles
    • Jars
  • Do Not Deposit:
    • Batteries
    • Appliances
    • Other plastics that are not packaging
    • Dishes and ceramics
    • Flat glass and windows
    • Crystals and mirrors
    • Lamps
    • Dirty paper
    • Diapers
    • Vegetable paper
    • Plasticized paper

Water Treatment

  • Water is captured, treated, used, and returned to the environment.
  • Treatment occurs at a Water Treatment Station (ETA) to correct physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics.
  • Wastewater requires treatment at a Wastewater Treatment Station (ETAR) before reuse orreturn to the environment.

Water Contamination Sources

  • Domestic Use: Organic matter and detergents.
  • Agriculture: Fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Industry: Toxic chemicals.

Sustainability Measures

  • Waste recovery to reduce landfill use.
  • Waste reduction and reuse to prevent waste production.