Throwing waste into the dustbin is a good habit. However, it is not where the process of managing waste ends, but where it begins. Segregation is the first step of waste management and it starts right at your kitchen. We recommended you to have two separate dustbins in your kitchen to keep wet waste from mixing up with its dry counterpart.
What is segregation of waste? It is the separation of biodegradable waste from non-biodegradable waste for proper disposal and recycling.
Urban India produces thousands of tons of waste every day. Segregation is a major part of disposing this waste and you have an important part to play. The kitchen contributes the maximum amount of waste for any household; so start segregating waste in the kitchen dustbin and then move on to the rest of the house.
Waste from a household can be divided in to two categories - dry waste and wet waste. Wet waste is organic and dry is not. Both need to be disposed and recycled differently.
Why you should segregate waste:
A kitchen with proper waste segregation does not smell and attracts fewer pests: By having a separate place for wet waste that is well ventilated and away from the reach of household pests, you can have your kitchen look much cleaner and smell better.
Proper segregation leads to proper recycling and is the only way to increase the recycling rate: Most of the waste can be reused and recycled. By segregating waste, you make the collection process more convenient and efficient for the collecting companies. Besides, some collectors in cities like Bangalore will not pick up your trash at all when it is not segregated.
Hazardous waste can cause serious health problems: If not disposed properly, many items in your trash are dangerous to your health. Many rag pickers segregate waste with their bare hands. Hazardous and sanitary waste objects pose severe health hazards for them. Batteries, bulb, cosmetics, pesticides, medicine, syringe and paints cause harm to both humans and the environment.
Proper segregation is required for the functioning of waste incineration: There are incineration plants which can burn waste with almost zero emission, but they only work if waste is properly segregated.
