Segregation of Waste: SC

The Supreme Court of India highlighted the crucial importance of proper garbage segregation at the household level for the well-being of the environment. The court emphasized that this practice is vital for effective waste management, especially as cities, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR), grapple with increasing waste production.

What is Segregation of Waste?

• Waste segregation refers to the process of separating different types of waste materials at the source (usually at homes, offices, or industries) to make waste management more efficient.
• Proper segregation is essential for recycling, reusing, or disposing of waste responsibly.
• It ensures that recyclable materials, organic waste, and non-recyclable materials are separated, which not only helps in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills but also supports environmental sustainability.
• Types of Waste:
  • Biodegradable Waste: This is organic waste that can be broken down by natural processes. Examples include food scraps, garden waste, and other organic materials.
  • Non-Biodegradable Waste: Waste that cannot naturally decompose. Examples include plastics, glass, metal, and certain chemicals.
  • Recyclable Waste: Materials that can be reused or recycled to make new products. Common recyclables include paper, cardboard, glass bottles, plastic bottles, and metals like aluminum.
  • Hazardous Waste: This includes any materials that are toxic or dangerous to human health or the environment. Examples are batteries, electronic waste, and certain chemicals.
  • Construction and Demolition Waste: This includes debris from construction activities, such as concrete, bricks, tiles, and metal.
  • E-waste: Electronic waste such as old computers, mobile phones, and electrical appliances.

Importance of Waste Segregation:

• Recycling Efficiency: Proper segregation ensures that recyclable materials are not contaminated with non-recyclables, making the recycling process more efficient.
• Environmental Protection: Segregating waste helps reduce pollution, conserve natural resources, and minimize the need for landfills.
• Reduction in Landfill Waste: By separating out recyclables and organic waste, less waste ends up in landfills, which reduces environmental damage and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Energy Recovery: Segregation allows waste-to-energy projects to run efficiently by processing organic waste into energy.

Methods of Waste Segregation:

• At the Source (Primary Segregation):
  • Household Segregation: Waste is separated at the household level into different bins or containers based on the type of waste. For example:
    • Green Bin: For biodegradable waste (organic waste such as food scraps, garden waste).
    • Blue Bin: For recyclables (plastic, paper, metal).
    • Red Bin: For non-recyclable waste (such as plastic bags, broken items).
    • Yellow Bin: For hazardous waste (e-waste, batteries).
  • Businesses and Industries: Larger institutions or industries also segregate waste at the source. They usually have separate bins for recyclables, organic waste, and non-recyclable waste, following similar principles to households but on a larger scale.
• Secondary Segregation (Post-Collection): This occurs after waste is collected from households and businesses. Waste management companies or recycling centers further sort the waste if primary segregation was not done properly.
  • Manual Sorting: Waste is sorted manually by workers into categories like plastics, metals, glass, paper, etc.
  • Mechanical Sorting: Machines and automated systems are used to sort waste, especially in large waste management plants. These systems may use technology like air classification, magnetic separation, or vibrating screens to separate different materials.
• Composting of Organic Waste: Biodegradable waste, such as food scraps and garden waste, can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil. This process involves breaking down organic materials using microbes under controlled conditions.
• Waste-to-Energy Conversion: In some cases, waste that cannot be recycled or composted is converted into energy. Organic waste can be used in anaerobic digesters to produce biogas, while other types of waste can be incinerated to generate electricity.
• Recycling Processes:
  • Mechanical Recycling: Materials like paper, glass, and plastic are processed in facilities that clean, break down, and remanufacture the waste into new products.
  • Chemical Recycling: Involves breaking down polymers in plastic waste into their chemical components to create new plastics.