Importance of Waste Management in Apartments

It is important to educate and raise awareness of proper waste management for people, waste collectors, and waste contractors.

Waste or garbage is generally unwanted or undesired material or substance that is expelled from our homes, offices, parks, shops, dining, and small businesses. The growing population also has increased the amount of waste generated so much that conventional methods such as landfills can not easily remove it. Proper disposal reduces the chance of soil and groundwater contamination and is important for the public and environmental health.

Waste Segregation means keeping WET, DRY, and E-WASTE Separately so that dry waste can be recycled, wet waste can be composed and E(Electronic)- WASTE can be collected by NGO periodically.

Why Waste Segregation is necessary for Waste Management?

Waste Segregation reduces waste that gets landfilled and reduces pollution to air and water.

What is Dry Waste?

The dry mixed waste consists of not decaying waste. It is free from organic substances such as food. It is also known as waste which cannot be Bio-degraded. Dry waste includes paper, plastics, metal, glass, rubber, thermocol, cloth, rexine, wood, empty bottles, cleaning boards, a bottle of toilet and floor, broken stationery, water bottles, etc…, that is, anything which can be held without breakdown for a long time. You can wipe the edible paper cups and clean the milk bags prior to the Dry Waste bin.
Broken glass and any other kind of sharp material should be stored in a separate transparent bag.

What is Wet Waste?

Wet waste is biodegradable (such as food waste or cooking oils). Recycling turns food waste from waste dumps into compost. Efficient wet waste solutions are needed for restaurants, factories, and buildings.

Most of the Wet waste comes from Kitchen. It comprises of left food, rotten vegetables, fruits, vegetable peels, fruit peels, used tea bags, coconut shells, used flowers/leaves after pooja, meat and non-veg. food remains expired food items like bread and biscuits.

What is E-Waste?

It is Electronic Waste consists of batteries, computer parts, wires, electrical, watches, cell phones, bulbs, tube lights, CFL. E-waste can be to bank stored at home; this can be periodically collected by Housekeepers can also be collected by NGOs.

Here applies the Mantra of three “R’s”, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”

Reduce the e-waste generation through intelligent supply and maintenance.
Reuse electronic devices still operating by donating or selling them to somebody who is still willing to use them.
Recycle certain unrepairable goods. Computer monitors, TVs, and other electronic equipment should not be disposed of with normal waste, as in California this is illegal. Check the list to find an agency handling your recycled electronics.

OTHER TYPES OF WASTES

Biomedical Waste

This includes disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, bandages; any other material with blood or any other body fluids should be wrapped in a separate paper bag and should be disposed of daily.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste means any waste due to its features. This is a hazard to health or the environment such as physical, chemical, biological, reactive, toxic, inflammable, explosive or corrosive. It covers expired goods, syringes, chemicals, solvent washing, insect repellent, paints, thermometers, cosmetics used, razors, etc. This can be stored in a safe place as per the instruction from in Society.

What measures should be followed to increase the awareness among the people to support waste management in apartments and keep our city and society clean and green?

Responsibility of the residents of the Housing Society / Apartment Complex

1. Separate containers for dry and wet waste should be kept in the kitchen. Keep one bag for dry waste collection and another bag for another household for waste collection.
2. Dispose of wet waste out of the home daily. Do not mix dry waste with any other waste.
3. Diapers and sanitary waste should be wrapped in newspaper with a red cross on it.
4. Store and send dry waste out of the home, once a week or as per the instruction given by Society.
5. Keep a paper bag and use it to dispose of sanitary waste.
6. Razor/blades can be collected in a transparent jar so that it visible to the housekeeper.
7. Use Eco-friendly products with a recycling mark on it.

Responsibility of the Managing Committee members of the Society

1. The Managing Committee members should create awareness amongst the members and staff about the Segregation of waste.
2. Society can keep separate dust bins for storing dry and wet garbage.
3. Society can display posters in the lift or corridor to create awareness.
4. Society can encourage members by displaying the member’s names who follow the segregation process.
5. Society can install a fully automatic composting machine. It can generate 10 kg of compost out of 100 kg of wet garbage. It is the most effective and long-term solution to managing wet waste.
6. Society can have a separate area to discard plastic bottles, tetra packs & e-waste including tube -lights, LED, etc.

Waste management can be managed without stress if we are able to manage the funds collected from members efficiently. Always remember that keeping the society in a good state increases the value of the property. So, even if the flat holders are asked to contribute a nominal extra amount for all these facilities, then consider this as an investment. I am sure it will fetch you very good returns.

All this can be managed with proper planning. It is not necessary that everything should be done at once. Things can be taken up as per the priority. All well-managed and beautiful society will give you joy forever.

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