Health Module 5-7: Proper Waste

Disposal
Do you know what the different types of wastes are?

To keep your homes, schools, and community clean, you must first identify and understand the types of
wastes you produce. It comes in different forms such as:
general waste
metals
paper and cardboard
toxic waste

Basically, there are three types of wastes. They are: biodegradable waste nonbiodegradable waste and
toxic waste.

Activity 1
Draw 10 examples of each kind of waste. Biodegradable and Non-biodegradble.

BIODEGRADABLE NON- BIODEGRADABLE

Biodegradable Waste

Biodegradable waste is waste that can be broken down into its base components or simply decomposed
by microorganisms or decomposers and recycled into the life cycle naturally.

Examples of biodegradable wastes are:

Leftover or spoiled food
Fruit and Vegetable peelings
Seeds and leaves
Grass

Paper Waste
Paper waste is a type of waste that comes from used or discarded paper product. Old newspapers, used
notebooks, and dilapidated boxes are just some examples.
Production of paper uses huge amounts of trees, water, and energy. Paper waste takes up a lot of space in
the landfill and when paper rots or composted, it emits methane gas which is 25 times more toxic than
carbon dioxide. Therefore, it is better to recycle paper waste to save space, trees, and energy.
Examples:
Old newspapers
Dilapidated boxes

Kitchen Waste
Kitchen waste is one of the most diverse types of biodegradable wastes. It can be defined as waste that is
found and discarded from the kitchen. The following are different types of kitchen wastes.
Examples:
Leftover or spoiled food
Fruit and vegetable peelings

Yard Cuttings
Yard cuttings or trimmings are wastes that are generated from the garden, lawn, or backyard. Yard
cuttings come in different forms such as leaves, grass trimmings, cut branches, and pulled weeds.
Examples:
Leaves
Grass trimmings
Cut branches
Pulled weeds

Yard cuttings are bulky and somehow difficult to transport compared to other wastes. The good thing is
that they are biodegradable and can be dealt with in different ways.
1. Composting
Compost is an alternative material that can be used to grow plants. A mature compost is created
by combining organic wastes such as yard cuttings, food waste, and manure (animal stool) in
proper ratios and of nwob setting them aside in a compost pit for some time.
2.Recycling
Recycling can be done to branch trimmings and tree trunks by using them as materials for arts and
crafts.
3. Leaving them
For the grass trimmings and leaves, they may be left in place and just let them decompose naturally. The
trimmings left behind will also serve as empla vorganic fertilizers after they decompose.

Nonbiodegradable Waste
Nonbiodegradable waste is a type of waste that cannot be broken down to its base components naturally.
Unlike biodegradable wastes such as food and leaves, nonbiodegradable wastes remain stable indefinitely
and may take up millions of years before they decompose.
Examples of nonbiodegradable wastes are used plastic bags, styrofoam containers, broken glasses, and
used tin cans. Other junk objects that are made of plastic, glass, and metal also belong in this category.
Plastic Waste
Plastic plays a big part in peoples' lives, It is used in manufacturing almost everything-from plastic bags
and beverage containers to laptops and computers.

Therefore, it is important that you manage your plastic wastes properly before it fills up the landfills.
There are two types of plastic waste.
1. Durable - the plastic that is hard and long-lasting.
Example: Appliances
Furniture
2. Nondurable - plastic that is easily destroyed.
Example:Plastic bags
Utensils containers

Styrofoam
Commonly known as Styrofoam, polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic made from styrene monomer. It
is a light material that is used in making cups, containers, packaging materials, art materials, and more.
Discarded styrofoam is nonbiodegradable and can only be disposed off by recycling or by dumping into
landfills.
Example:
Styrofoam cups
Styrofoam cushion for electronics

Glass
Glass is a very common material mostly used in the production of containers and bottles. Glass also
contributes to the bulk of nonbiodegradable waste because of its widespread use. The best way to manage
glass waste is by reusing it.
Example:
Broken glasses
Old bottles
Cans
Another kind of waste that you usually encounter is used or discarded cans. They may be aluminum cans
that are usually used in beverages or tin cans that are used as food containers. Since cans are always made
of metal (aluminum or iron), it can always be reused or recycled.
Example:
Discarded can of sardines
Soft drink cans

Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is any kind of waste, liquid or solid, that contains substances that are harmful to
humans and animals. They may be:
1. Carcinogens - chemicals or substances that cause cancer.
2. Developmental and reproductive hazard - substances that cause adverse effects on male or female
reproductive systems or cause adverse effects on developing organisms. Examples are used batteries, a
type of waste that contains lead and or mercury.
3 . Corrosives - substances that cause destruction or deterioration in living tissues.
4.Irritants - substances that cause inflammatory effects on skin. Household cleaning materials such as
muriatic acid and other cleaning aids are common examples of chemicals that are irritants.
5. Allergens - chemicals or substances that cause allergic reactions.
6. Flammables - liquids or chemicals that can easily be set on fire. Examples are fuel, thinners, and
aerosol cans.
7. Explosives - substances that burst upon impact, temperature change, or chemical reaction.
Examples of hazardous wastes are broken electronic devices, batteries, paint, fuel, solvents, and expired
medicine.

Chemicals
Hazardous wastes may come in the form of chemicals. Chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals
are considered hazardous wastes.
Used batteries
Batteries make life more convenient. Most of the gadgets and portable electronics use batteries. They are
also in cars, flashlights, power tools, and even in watches. However, batteries do not last forever. An
alkaline battery is disposed off when its charge depletes, while a rechargeable battery lasts more cycles
due to its being rechargeable. Batteries also come in different shapes and sizes, but all of them have two
elements that combine to make power-an electrolyte and a heavy metal.
The different heavy metals that are found in the batteries are mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel which
can contaminate the environment when the batteries are thrown away.

Expired Medicines
Expired medicines do not represent a serious threat to the community or to the environment. It may be
harmful if it contaminates the water supply or if it gets into the hands of scavengers and they try to sell it
or consume it. Although most medicines only become less effective after their expiration, they may also
have adverse effects.

Guidelines on Handling Medicines in School or at Home

1. A medicine's expiration date should be visible, if not on the packaging, on its container.
2. Immediately sort out and dispose expired medicines.
3. Avoid contaminating drinking water with expired medicines.
4. Avoid burning expired medicines in low temperature or in open air.
5. Dilute disinfectants before disposing them into the sewage system.

Below is the time it takes for wastes to decompose in the environment.

Proper Waste Management
Waste management is the collection,transportation,and disposal of garbage.

Waste Reduction (Reuse)

The most effective way to minimize waste is by not producing waste at all or at least reducing it. The next
best way is by reusing.

Ways to Reuse
1. Buying used items like art supplies saves money and also helps care for the environment.
2. Choose reusable over disposable items, like reusable containers and reusable fork and spoon.
 3. Maintain and repair your things so that they do not have to be replaced frequently.
4. Donating is also a good way to reuse products. By giving them to the less fortunate, you not only
help them, but also help make the environment greener.

Benefits of Reducing and Reusing

1.prevents pollution
2.saves money
3. saves energy
4.reduces the amount of waste

Waste Storage
Why do you need proper waste storage? Proper waste storage is needed to temporarily store the
accumulated wastes safely to keep them away from children and away from pests and rodents.

Guide in Separating Biodegradable from Nonbiodegradable Wastes

1.Always prepare at least two trash bins with cover per room or area. One is labeled "Biodegradable" and
the other is "Nonbiodegradable."
2 . It is advisable to display along with the bins the different kinds of wastes or garbage that belong to
each category.
3.Ensure that the trash bins are secured in place and do not fall to their sides easily.
4. Make sure to keep the bins away from children's reach. dopo
5. Paper waste may temporarily be stored in separate container or boxes for recycling.
6. Use of tight-fitting storage containers is also encouraged to keep the waste
safe from pests and rodents.

Waste Disposal
What are the different ways to get rid of the wastes? There are different to dispose off your waste. These
are by composting and recycling.

Composting
Compost is an alternative to soil in which you can grow plants. Mature compost is a stable material with a
content of humus; it is brown or black and smells like soil.
Composting is the process of making compost. It is done by combining organic wastes such as yard
cuttings, food waste, and manure (animal stool) in proper ratios and setting them aside in a compost pile
for some time.

Benefits of Composting
1. It reduces or eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers.
2. It promotes greater harvests of agricultural crops.
3. It facilitates reforestation and habitat regeneration efforts by adding it to merpolluted soils.
4. It remediates soil contamination by hazardous waste cost effectively.
5.It removes solids, oil, grease, and heavy metals from storm water runoff.
6. It avoids methane formulation in landfills.
7. It reduces the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Recycling
Recycling is done when nonbiodegradable waste can no longer be reused.
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing wastes and turning them into new products

Benefits of Recycling
1. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills.
2. It minimizes pollution by reducing the demand of raw material.
3. It saves energy

Steps in Recycling Materials

1. Collection t and processing - This starts at home when you sort out the wate that can and cannot be
recycled and the when garbage collector out to pick
the recyclable wastes and deliver them to the facilities.
2. Manufacturing - Recycled products' population is fast growing due to the need to take good care for the
environment. Items that contain recycled materials are:.
Example:
 Recycled pencil
Soft drink container
Cardboard tubes
Newspaper

2. Buying products that are made from recycled materials - This increases the demand for products
made from recycled materials.

Proper Disposal of Hazardous Wastes

How can you get rid of hazardous wastes? Before throwing away hazardous or dangerous wastes, you
must first identify them so that you may avoid the harm that they can cause.
Hazardous wastes can be subdivided into categories depending on what they can do and how they
respond to the surroundings. Is it a combustible liquid? Is the substance explosive or flammable?
Collection
Waste chemicals must be collected and placed in their individual container. The chemicals must be
compatible with container material (Example: acids must not be placed in a metal container). Glass
containers may be safely used for almost anything.
The container for waste chemicals must be clean and free from any residue of what it was used for.
The containers holding hazardous chemicals must be kept closed so there is no leak or escape of vapors.
Always make sure that the lids are tightly in place. All containers must be properly labeled.

Request for Waste Pick-up or Removal

Contact the local municipal waste department for information on the different establishments that collect
and recycle hazardous wastes. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR has a list
of accredited recovery facilities that collect and manage hazardous wastes.
Activity 2
Activity 4
Answer the following questions correctly.

1. How can you help implement proper waste management at home?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the benefits of recycling?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. is the best way to dispose hazardous wastes?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Evaluation.
Directions. Read and answer carefully. Encircle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. What do you call to the waste that can be broken down or decomposed?
a. Biodegradable. c. Toxic waste
b. Non-biodegradable. d. Recyclable

2. Which of the following is NOT Biodegradable?

a. Spoiled food. c. Old newspapers
b. Fruit and vegetable peelings. d. Glass

3. Which of the following are ways in dealing with biodegradable?

a. Composting. c. Leaving them properly
b. Recycling. d. All of the above

4. What type of waste that cannot be broken down to its base components?
a. Biodegradable. c. Toxic waste
b. Non-biodegradable. d. Recyclable

5. Which of the following is an example of a Non-biodgradable waste?

a. Old news papers. c. Plastic bottles
b. Cut branches d. Leftovers

6. What do you call to the polystyrene plastic containers that is usually used for packaging?
a. Glass. c. Styrofoam
b. Cans d. Rubber

7. What do you call to the plastic that is easily destroyed?

a. Durable. c. Biodegradable
b. Nondurable. d. Recyclable

8. Which of the following is NOT a toxic waste?

a. Used batteries. c. Kerosene
b. Expired Medicines. d. Grass trimmings

9. Which of the following is a benefit of recycling?

a. It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills
b. It minimizes pollution
c. It saves energy
d. All of the above

10. Which waste below is the longest to decompose?

a. Disposable diaper. c. Glass bottle
b. Tin cans. d. Plywood