Activity 2nd- reflection

1)​ Though we came across numerous waste items belonging to many different
categories inside our school premises, there were many entities which largely
belonged to 2 or 3 categories we got to know about.
Following are the prominent categories:-
●​ Dry/recyclable waste- Items such as pens, staple pins, paper, plastic
wrappers, aluminium foils and butter papers are largely disposed of in
school by teachers, students and cleaning staff. Due to a wide range of
usage in every sphere of life, these waste items make up most of the
waste disposed of from school, and positions dry/recyclable waste to be
the most common category from which most of the waste is spotted.
Though it is commonly sent to recycling centres, still it comprises the
largest sustainability related problem to deal with.
●​ Biodegradable/wet waste- Compostable items such as fruit peels,
spilled food, used tea leaves and seeds of fruit are also thrown, but in
comparatively less amount. Usually teachers, students and cleaners all
are responsible for accumulation of biodegradable waste and that is
why it is gathered in second largest amount, Though this waste is
turned into compost through composting, but still it makes the second
largest category of waste found.
●​ Electronic waste- Equipment such as wires, batteries, e-pen’s filament
and gets accumulated in large amounts. These waste items are not idly
thrown away, rather stored in bulk, after turning into useless items. But
the measure is a lot less than other waste items found from other two
categories.

2)​ While the waste composition at home may share some similarities with that at
school, a closer look reveals differences. Variations in lifestyle and needs
between home and school environments lead to distinct waste generation
patterns. Therefore, it's unlikely that the waste composition would be exactly
the same in both settings.There is a subtle difference in the type of waste that
makes up the largest category in schools compared to homes. Though not a
major difference, it is still a noteworthy one that should be understood
appropriately.

Differences through examples can give much better understanding:-

●​ In home the prominent type of waste found is biodegradable such as

fruit and vegetable peels, used tea leaves etc..
●​ While at school a prominent type of waste found is dry such as paper,
plastic wrappers etc..
●​
3)​ The prominent categories found in home are:
●​ Wet/Biodegradable Waste: In schools, where most of the time and space
is occupied by students, the predominant type of waste is dry waste. Items
like paper, pens, and other stationery are used extensively, making dry waste
the most significant category. On the other hand, in homes—where the
environment is more relaxed, centered around eating well, and engaging in
leisure activities—wet waste tends to dominate. Continuous cooking and
eating generate a considerable amount of biodegradable waste. But this kind
of waste is subjected to composting, which is bound to benefit the soil around,
and compost being a natural fertilizer. Fruit and vegetable peels, used tea
leaves, spoiled or leftover food and spilled food comes under the category of
wet waste. Most of the wet waste generated in home can either be turned into
compost or feeded to household cattles kept by rural households.
●​ Dry Waste: At home, items such as biscuit wrappers, spice packets, snack
wrappers, and empty bottles of oil, shampoo, and lotion, along with other
miscellaneous items, are commonly found. Most of these waste items are
unlikely to be found at school. Therefore, it is important to note the key
differences between the categories that occupy the highest positions.
Understanding this variation helps us develop an ideal waste management
system that addresses these differences effectively while remaining
economically feasible.
4)​ Categorization of waste means understanding the type of waste according to
its chemical composition and the way in which it is ideal to dispose of.
Categorization of waste not only allows one to redefine the usage of items in a
rightful manner according to its chemical composition, but also prepares one
to dispose of it with an environmentally friendly procedure.

Waste is majorly categorised in 6 categories:-

Paper cups and plastic wrappers

Dry/recyclable waste

Vegetable and fruit peels

Wet/biodegradable waste

Broken wires and fused bulbs

Electronic waste

Broken tiles and unused concrete

Construction/demolition waste
 Phinoel and spilled colin
Hazardous/chemical waste

Sanitary pads and bandages

Biomedical waste.

This categorisation of waste is helpful in thriving to understand the necessity of the

tapestry of waste, folded in various layers of texture, composition, shape, usages and
disposal method.

5)​ Improperly mixing different types of waste, such as biomedical and hazardous
waste, can lead to serious consequences. These consequences can include-
●​ Unscientific disposal of waste. Which does not relate to the
chemical characteristics of the respective category.
●​ Disruption of a defined cycle. Causing diseases due to birth of
various new chemical compositions can dysfunction the natural cycle.
●​ Waste becomes truly worthless when even its method of
disposal holds no meaning. In essence, something is considered
waste only when it has lost all usefulness — and the unscientific mixing
of different types of waste only serves to reinforce this reality.

Instead of asking what might happen, it’s more fitting to ask what won’t
happen if waste isn’t managed correctly.

Let’s look at three scientifically backed arguments:-

●​ When waste is carelessly combined and not properly treated, it can promote
the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. These can cause
severe infections and diseases in humans. But first let’s stop thinking about
human lives only—think what would happen to infinite microorganisms
persisting in our environment.
●​ Apart from these two essential parts of the ecosystem, numerous stray
animals, and even the most domestic one will be harshly impacted as the
whole ecosystem is bound to be dependent on one another. This may result in
severe conditions in the components of the ecosystem, and can lead to various
immune diseases in living organisms and disruption of a healthy environment.
●​ Additionally, if these pathogens destroy beneficial soil bacteria, they can
disrupt the nutrient cycle, hinder plant growth, and affect the entire food
chain. This can result in food shortages, poor hygiene, and serious public
health issues—potentially even sparking an infodemic.
 6)​ It is important to segregate waste into different categories because-
●​ It facilitates efficient treatment and management of waste according to
its chemical and physical properties.
●​ Segregation enables one to identify post usage of waste items after it
has lost its initial potential.
●​ Mixing different types of waste can lead to health problems in human,
environmental degradation and impact various organisms negatively.
●​ By segregating waste, we can mitigate these issues and promote a more
organized and sustainable approach. Because non-segregated waste
also creates obstacles for those who are handling it. Like, cleaners,
disposers, dumpers etc..

Yes, we do segregate waste into wet and dry waste in school as well as home.

Let’s talk about the segregation process of school:-

●​ Waste is segregated priorly into two categories by the students-

wet/biodegradable and dry/recyclable.
●​ Wet/biodegradable waste is dumped in a pit constructed at the backyard of
school for composting.
●​ Dry/recyclable waste is collected and given for recycling to Chuni Lal(dry
waste collector).
●​ On secondary level waste is segregated in terms school’s usage. If students are
capable of reusing waste items in terms of scientific model, decorative pieces
and artistic equipment then it is kept within the school, whereas other
completely non-reusable waste items are sent for recycling.

Let’s talk about the segregation process of home:-

●​ Waste is segregated into two categories at home- wet/biodegradable and

dry/recyclable waste.
●​ Two dustbins are kept separately, one for wet waste such as fruit and
vegetable peels, one for dry waste such as empty bottles and plastic wrappers.
●​ Wet waste is either returned into compost or feeded to cattles.
●​ Dry waste is either filled into plastic bottles or brought to school, from where
it is also taken by Chuni Lal for further segregation.

7)​ Biodegradable waste refers to organic materials that can break down naturally
by microorganisms, such as food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper products.
This type of waste can be used to improve plant growth in several ways:
●​ Composting: Biodegradable waste can be composted and converted
into nutrient-rich soil amendments, which enhance soil fertility and
structure.
 ●​ Mulching: Biodegradable materials like leaves or grass clippings can
be used as mulch, helping retain moisture, suppress weeds, and
regulate soil temperature.
●​ Soil enrichment: Biodegradable waste can be added to soil to
improve its structure, increase water-holding capacity, and provide
essential nutrients for plant growth.​

By utilizing biodegradable waste in these ways, we can reduce the amount sent to
landfills, promote sustainable gardening practices, and create a more
environmentally friendly approach to plant care.