WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste (also known as rubbish, trash, refuse, garbage, junk, litter) is unwanted or useless
materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled
from living organisms; such as urea, sweat or faeces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of
improperly.

Waste is directly linked to human development, both technologically and socially. The
compositions of different wastes have varied over time and location, with industrial development
and innovation being directly linked to waste materials. An Example of this include plastics and
nuclear technology. Some components of waste have economic value and can be recycled once
correctly recovered.

Waste is sometimes a subjective concept, because items that some people discard may have
value to others. It is widely recognized that waste materials are a valuable resource, whilst there
is debate as to how this value is best realized. Such concepts are colloquially expressed in
western culture by such idioms as "One man's trash is another man's treasure."

There are many waste types defined by modern systems of waste management, notably
including:

• Municipal Waste includes household waste, commercial waste, and demolition waste

• Hazardous Waste includes Industrial waste

• Bio-medical Waste includes clinical waste

• Special Hazardous waste includes radioactive waste, Explosives waste, E-waste

Waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal, managing and
monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity,
and is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics. Waste
management is also carried out to recover resources from it. Waste management can involve
solid, liquid, gaseous or radioactive substances, with different methods and fields of expertise for
each.
Waste management practices differ for developed and developing nations, for urban and rural
areas, and for residential and industrial producers. Management for non-hazardous waste
residential and institutional waste in metropolitan areas is usually the responsibility of local
government authorities, while management for non-hazardous commercial and industrial waste
is usually the responsibility of the generator.
Classification of Wastes according to their Properties

Bio-degradable:

 Can be degraded (paper, wood, fruits and others)

Non-biodegradable:

 Cannot be degraded (plastics, bottles, old machines, cans, containers and others)

Classification of Wastes according to their Effects on Human Health and the Environment

Hazardous wastes:

Substances unsafe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically and have

any of the following properties:-

1) Ignitability,
2) Corrosively,
3) Reactivity &
4) Toxicity.

Non-hazardous:

Substances safe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically and do not

have any of those properties mentioned above.

Classification of wastes according to their origin and type

1) Municipal Solid wastes: Solid wastes that include household garbage, rubbish, construction
& demolition debris, sanitation residues, packaging materials, trade refuges etc. are managed by
any municipality.
2) Bio-medical wastes: Solid wastes including containers, intermediate or end products
generated during diagnosis, treatment & research activities of medical sciences.

3) Industrial wastes: wastes that are generated by manufacturing & processing units of various
industries like chemical, petroleum, coal, metal gas, sanitary & paper etc.

4) Agricultural wastes: Wastes generated from farming activities. These substances are mostly
biodegradable.

5) Radioactive wastes: Waste containing radioactive materials. Usually these are byproducts of
nuclear processes. Sometimes industries that are not directly involved in nuclear activities, may
also produce some radioactive wastes, e.g. radio-isotopes, chemical sludge etc.

6) E-wastes: Electronic wastes generated from any modern establishments. They may be
described as discarded electrical or electronic devices. Some electronic scrap components, may
contain contaminants brominated flame retardants

Functional Elements of Solid Waste Management System

The activities involved with the management of solid wastes from the point of generation to final
disposal have been grouped into a six functional elements.

1) Generation

 Activities in which materials are generated and identified as useless or unwanted

materials.

2) Storage

 The generated wastes are stored near the point of generation for short period & then
transfer to community storage bin.

3) Collection

 Gathering of stored solid waste & then transfer to community storage bin

4) Transport

 The material collected in community bin is transferred to the processing or disposal site
by transport vehicles.
5) Processing

 It is the process to reduce its potential nuisance value (strength) and to recover usable
material or energy from solid waste before its final disposal.

6) Disposal

 It is ultimate disposal of solid waste.

 After transportation or processing solid waste can be disposed on land or water logged
areas for reclamation or low laying area or into sea etc.
WASTE HIERARCHY

Waste hierarchy refers to 3 Rs

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle all help to cut down on the amount of waste.
REDUCE

1) The best way to manage waste is to not produce it. This can be done by shopping
carefully and being aware of a few guidelines:
2) Buy products in bulk. Larger, economy-size products or ones in concentrated form use
less packaging and usually cost less per ounce.
3) Avoid over-packaged goods, especially ones packed with several materials such as foil,
paper, and plastic. They are difficult to recycle, plus you pay more for the package.
4) Avoid disposable goods, such as paper plates, cups, napkins, razors, and lighters.
Throwaways contribute to the problem, and cost more because they must be replaced
again and again.
5) Buy durable goods - ones that are well-built or that carry good warranties.
1) They will last longer, save money in the long run and save landfill space.
6) At work, make two-sided copies whenever possible.
7) Maintain central files rather than using several files for individuals.
8) Use electronic mail or main bulletin board.
9) Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
10) Use a dish cloth instead of paper towels.

REUSE

It makes economic and environmental sense to reuse products. Sometimes it takes

creativity:

1) Reuse products for the same purpose. Save paper and plastic bags, and repair broken
appliances, furniture and toys.
2) Reuse products in different ways. Use a coffee can to pack a lunch; use plastic
microwave dinner trays as picnic dishes.
3) Sell old clothes, appliances, toys, and furniture in garage sales or ads, or donate them to
charities.
4) Use re-sealable containers rather than plastic wrap.
5) Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of paper cups.
6) Reuse grocery bags or bring your own cloth bags to the store. Do not take a bag from the
store unless you need one.
RECYCLE

Recycling is a series of steps that takes a used material and processes, remanufactures, and
sells it as a new product. Begin recycling at home and at work:

1) Buy products made from recycled material. Look for the recycling symbol or ask store
managers or salesmen. The recycling symbol means one of two things

- Either the product is made of recycled material, or the item can be recycled.

For instance, many plastic containers have a recycling symbol with a numbered code the
identifies what type of plastic resin it is made from. However, just because the container has this
code does not mean it can be easily recycled locally.

2) Check collection centers and curbside pickup services to see what they accept, and begin
collecting those materials. These can include metal cans, newspapers, paper products, glass,
plastics and oil.

3) Consider purchasing recycled materials at work when purchasing material for office supply,
office equipment or manufacturing.

4) Speak to store managers and ask for products and packaging that help cut down on waste,
such as recycled products and products that are not over packaged.

5) Buy products made from material that is collected for recycling in your community.

6) Use recycled paper for letterhead, copier paper and newsletters.

METHODS OF DISPOSAL

A. Open Dumps

Description: Open dumps are unregulated sites where waste is discarded indiscriminately. There
are typically no measures in place to control pollution or manage waste.

Characteristics:

 Often located near urban areas or in remote regions.

 No segregation of waste is practiced.
Pros:

 Cost-Effective: Very low initial setup costs.

 Simplicity: Easy to establish without regulatory hurdles.

Cons:

 Health Hazards: Attracts pests and can lead to the spread of diseases.
 Environmental Pollution: Leachate from waste can contaminate soil and groundwater.
 Odor and Aesthetics: Causes unpleasant odors and visual pollution.
B. Landfill

Description: Traditional landfills are areas designated for waste disposal, where waste is
compacted and covered with soil.

Characteristics:

 Waste is usually compacted to minimize space.

 May include systems for leachate management and gas collection.

Pros:

 Capacity: Can handle large volumes of waste.

 Controlled Environment: Better than open dumps in terms of environmental
management.

Cons:

 Land Use: Requires significant land space, which can lead to habitat destruction.
 Pollution Risk: Potential for leachate to contaminate groundwater if not managed
properly.
 Methane Emission: Decomposition of organic waste generates methane, a potent
greenhouse gas.
C. Incineration

Description: Incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures, reducing it to ash, gas,
and heat.

Characteristics:
  Often includes energy recovery systems to convert waste to energy.
 Requires specialized equipment to manage emissions.

Pros:

 Volume Reduction: Can reduce waste volume by up to 90%.

 Energy Generation: Heat produced can be used for electricity or heating.

Cons:

 Air Pollution: Can release harmful pollutants if not properly controlled.

 High Costs: Initial setup and operational costs are significant.
 Public Opposition: Often faces community resistance due to health concerns.
D. On-site disposal

Description: This method involves managing waste at the location where it is generated, often
used by industries and agricultural operations.

Characteristics:

 Can include composting, septic systems, or waste-to-energy systems.

Pros:

 Reduced Transportation Costs: Minimizes the need to transport waste off-site.

 Immediate Management: Allows for quick response to waste generation.

Cons:

 Local Environmental Impact: Can lead to soil and water contamination if not managed
properly.
 Limited Applicability: Not suitable for all types of waste, particularly hazardous
materials.
E. Sanitary landfill

Description: A sanitary landfill is a modern and controlled waste disposal method designed to
minimize environmental impacts.

Characteristics:
  Features liners to prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater.
 Includes systems for gas collection to prevent methane emissions.

Pros:

 Environmental Protection: Reduces the risk of contamination and methane emissions.

 Regulatory Compliance: Meets strict environmental regulations, enhancing public trust.

Cons:

 Higher Costs: More expensive to establish and maintain than traditional landfills.
 Site Selection: Requires careful selection of locations to avoid environmental harm

IMPACTS OF WASTE ON ENVIRONMENT

1) Chemical poisoning through chemical inhalation.

2) Cancer.

3) Neurological disease.

4) Nausea and vomiting.

5) Increase in hospitalization of diabetic residents living near hazard waste sites.

6) Mercury toxicity from eating fish with high levels of mercury.

7) Uncollected waste can obstruct the storm water runoff resulting in flood.

8) Low birth weight.

9) Congenital malformations.

10) Increase in mercury level in fish due to disposal of mercury in the rivers.

11) Resulted in high algal population in rivers and sea

13) Waste breaks down in landfills to form methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

14) Change in climate and destruction of ozone layer due to waste biodegradable.

15) Littering, due to waste pollutions, illegal dumping, Leaching: is a process by which solid
waste enter soil and ground water and contaminating them.
PEST CONTROL & MANAGEMENT

Pest Control refers to the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest, usually
because it is perceived to be detrimental to a person's health or infrastructure.

Pest control is important because pests cause disease and discomfort. The housekeeping
department plays an important role in detecting the presence of pests in or around the
establishment and organizing their control or eradication.

However, the services of pest control i.e. spraying of pesticides etc. is contracted to a specialized
pest control agency under the supervision of housekeeper.

What is pest?

A pest is any organism that

• Competes with humans, domestic animals, etc. for food or water.

• Injures human, domestic animals, structures.
• Transmits disease to humans, domestic animals etc.
• Annoys humans and domestic animals.

Types of pest

• Insects (e.g.-cockroaches, termites, beetles, fleas)

• Arthropods (eight legged organisms) (e.g. - mites, ticks, spiders)
• Microbial organisms (e.g. - bacteria)
• Weeds (unwanted plants)
• Molluscs(snails, slugs)
• Vertebrates (egg- mice& other rodents)

Categories of Pest

• Continuous pest – nearly always present and require regular control.

• Sporadic/ migratory/ cyclic pest – require control occasionally or intermittently

• Potential pests – do not require control under normal conditions but may require control in
certain circumstances.

To identify & control pests, one needs to know the following details-

• The physical features of pests

• Characteristics of damage they cause

• Their development cycle and biology

• The goals of the pest management program.

Pest control goal –

• Prevention: keeping a pest from becoming a problem.

• Suppression: reducing pest numbers or damage to an acceptable level.

• Eradication: destroying an entire pest population.

Threshold levels –

Threshold are the levels of pest population beyond which you should take pest- control
action if you want to prevent the pest in an area from causing unacceptable injury or harm

COMMON PESTS AND THEIR CONTROL-

BED BUGS

These are tiny parasitic creatures that feed on the blood of humans & other animals.

Symptoms of presence – Itching or rashes on the person sleeping on the bed.

Blood stain on sheets or fluid stain on walls / furniture. Unpleasant odour

To eradicate an infestation,

• It is necessary to treat the premises thoroughly by fumigation.

• Pouring boiling water into crevices is a temporary solution to get rid of bed bugs.

• A thick application of kerosene oil emulsion is also effective against bed bugs.

SILVERFISH

These are silvery grey insects that look like minutes fish without fins. They are nocturnal insect
s primarily found in moist areas & feed on cellulosic materials such as paper & cellulosic
fabrics such as cotton.

Eradication:

• Keeping moist areas clean & treating those with insecticide will help to get rid of these
pests.

• Pyrethrum & sodium fluoride crystals are effective against silverfish.

COCKROACHES

These are several species of nocturnal insects that spends most of the day hiding in cracks,
around drains, or in other dark, secluded crevices. Two common species of cockroach are
the German & the oriental.

Eradication:

Cockroaches are difficult pests to eradicate.

• Proprietary cockroach- killer preparations may be used in the infested areas.

• Pest- control experts need to be called if the infestation persists.

• Maintaining proper hygiene & sanitation.

MOSQUITOES:

These transmit diseases such as malaria, filarial, & yellow fever.

Eradication:

• Repair & fill all pits & puddle.

• Cover drains & put pesticides into these to prevent larvae from thriving there & growing
into adult mosquitoes.

• Fine gauze on windows prevents entry of mosquitoes.

• An effective, eco-friendly method for the control of mosquitoes is to place pots of the water
around the property for a week or two. During this time, mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water.
Before the eggs can develop however, this water is discarded, killing the larvae.

MICE AND RATS

Rats and mice both carry disease germs (such as plague &typhoid) & may cause food
poisoning, infection, jaundice etc.

Eradication:

• Poisoning

• Trapping

• Fumigating

• To eliminate their food supply & shelter

• Rat-proof buildings

• Ultrasonic devices

FLIES:

These filthy insects are dangerous to health as they contaminate food, causing diseases such as
typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and so on. They carry the disease germs on their legs and in their
saliva. These are transferred to the food on which they sit

Eradication:

• The first essential step is to destroy all possible breeding grounds early in the year before egg-
laying begins.

• Burn all garbage, keep dustbins covered, & maintain a good standard of cleanliness for the
surroundings.
• Three teaspoons of formalin + 1 pint of milk/water + sugar should be placed in saucers in
susceptible areas to trap & kill flies.

• Aerosol fly-killer sprays are also effective.

ANT

These insects generally invade in large numbers when they come in search of food, especially
sweet substances. They enter through crevices and travel along a definite track in a procession.

Eradication:

• The ants can be systematically trapped at the point where they enter an establishment.

• The vulnerable areas must be emptied of food, thoroughly cleaned,& borax – which
repels them- spread over the shelves until the ants cease to come & eventually go to
find food else where

• If the nest is located, it can be destroyed by placing 2 tablespoonful of carbon

disulphide at the entrance.

TERMITES:

These are social insects, like ants. They are also called white ants because of their appearance.

Eradication:

• Soil should be treated before construction of buildings with an appropriate termite killer fluid.

• During construction wood should not be allowed to come within 6 inches of the ground.

• Coat any untreated and exposed wood with an appropriate insecticides

• Seal all cracks and crevices.

• Increase of infestations lightly puncture kick out holes and inject an appropriate insecticide into
the hole

• Saturate infested furniture with Orth dichlorobenzene.

• Wax and varnish all wood and coat with linseed oil to cover the pores.
BEETELS:

Carpet beetles attack furs, carpets, all kinds of woolen textiles. They have emerged as a major
pest to hotel textiles. They flourish in situations where they can remain undisturbed-for

Example; beneath carpets, around skirting boards, & in wardrobes. They usually targets
animal’s wool, leather & the damage often takes the form of irregular holes in these

Eradication:

• Frequent & thorough vacuum cleaning of fluff & dust.

• Furniture beetles/woodworm- this beetle makes its home in crevices & cracks of furniture made
of unpolished wood. The first

sign of infestation is usually small piles of yellowish bore dust found beneath the furniture.

• Unpolished wood should be treated with commercial anti wood worm preservative,
polish, varnish, or lacquer to prevent the beetles from laying eggs in furniture.

• To kill woodworm, the crevices & exit holes should be sprayed with a proprietary
woodworm killer fluid.

MOTHS

There are two types: Clothes moth & moths attacking foodstuff.

Cloth moth

• Clothes moth attacks wool, fur, leather etc. and hides in light or with activity.

• Wash clothes in hot water or dry-clean.

• Seal in airtight bags.

• Place under sunlight.

Food Moth:

Thorough cleaning of food area with detergent and hot water.

• Vacuuming and removing any larvae or cocoons.

• Rinsing are with 50-50 solution of vinegar and water to kill larvae and eggs.

• Throw away infested food and wash and dry the jars.

FUNGI:

Fungi can cause considerable structural damage to a property. It is more likely to be found in
kitchen, bathrooms, & roofs, windows frames & skills, door & door frames & attack timber
with a moisture content of more than 30 percent.

METHODS OF PEST CONTROL:

1) Natural controls –

• Climate –weather conditions (temperature, day length, & humidity) affect pest activity. Pests
may be killed or suppressed by main, freezing temperature, drought, or other adverse
weather conditions.

• Natural enemies- birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, & mammals feed on some pests &
help controls their numbers.

• Geographic barriers- features such as mountains large bodies of water restrict the
spread of many pests.

• Foods & water supply –pest population can thrive only as long as their food & water
supply lasts.

• Shelter- over wintering sites& places to hide from predators are important to the survival of
some pests.

2) Applied controls in a hotel-

• Mechanical/physical control- traps, screens, barriers, fences, nets, radiation & electricity can
sometimes be used to prevent the spread of pest into an area.
• Sanitation- good sanitation, improving cleanliness, eliminating pest harborage, increasing
the frequency of garbage pick-ups & proper design of food-handling area help to prevent
pest infestations.

• Chemical control- pesticides are chemical used to destroy the pests, control their
activity, or prevent them from causing damage.

ROLE OF HOUSEKEEPING - INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Integrated pest management is the combination of appropriate pest control tactics into single plan
to reduce pests and their damage to an acceptable level with least disruption to other living
organisms and non-organic surroundings at the treatment site.

To develop an integrated pest management system, one must

• Identify the pest or pests to be dealt with

• Determine the pest control goals

• Know what control tactics are available

• Evaluate the benefits and risks of each tactic

• Choose most effective strategy

• Use each tactic in the strategy correctly

• Observe local, state, and union regulations that may apply to the situation