Scientific Bulletin of North University Center of Baia Mare

Series D, Mining, Mineral Processing, Non-ferrous Metallurgy, Geology and Environmental Engineering
Volume XXXII No. 1, 2018

CREATIVE REUSE OF WASTE FOR INTERIOR AND GARDEN

DECORATIONS

ANAMARIA MARC
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, North University Centre of Baia Mare-Faculty of
Engineering

Abstract: Waste is defined by OUG no. 195/2005 as a substance or an object the owner discards, intends
or is required to discard. [1] Wastes are related to the consumer's lifestyle and mentality. The main purpose of the
article is to present creative, practical and aesthetic ideas on the reuse of household waste generated in households.
There are presented statistical data taken from the Annual Environmental Reports, by ANM, the quantities of
household waste generated in the last years and the degree of waste collection in Romania. In Romania most of the
waste is eliminated through storage, so the most favorable actions for a proper waste management are prevention
and reuse. The paper deals with the problem of dry solid waste: plastics, glass and metals waste.

Key words: waste, household waste, recycling, reuse, waste collection

1. INTRODUCTION

The management waste in Romania is still a problem even if we are in 2017, 10 years
after the country's accession to the European Union.
In Romania the strategy and policy of sustainable waste management is implemented by
Law no. 2011/2011 on waste regime. According to this law, waste management actions are
prioritized, from the most favorable to the least favorable measures [2]:
• prevention;
• preparation for reuse;
• recycle;
• recovery (eg. energy recovery);
• elimination.
Household waste is part of municipal waste. Most household waste, especially solid
waste (plastics, glass, metal waste) can be reused for their original purpose or for a new purpose
by making certain modifications.

2. GENERATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IN ROMANIA

2.1 Collection of household waste in Romania

According to the Annual Environmental Report, in 2014 in Romania the amount of
municipal waste collected through specialized sanitation services was 4,981,000 tons. Table 1
presents quantitative and percentage composition of municipal waste. The amount of household
waste collected in 2014 is 3,921,000 tons. [3]

Table 1. Municipal waste collected in 2014– ANPM [3]

Waste collected Quantity collected (tons) Percentage %
Household waste 3.921.000 78,72
Commercial and institutional waste 638.000 12,81
Construction and demolition waste 422.000 8,47
TOTAL 4.491.000 100
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 The percentage composition of household waste for the year 2014 is presented in figure
no.1 according to statistical data provided by ANPM. The largest share, 56.26%, is represented
by biodegradable waste, followed by plastic waste with 12.33%.

Figure 1 Percentage composition of household waste in 2014 [3]

Household waste collection is not generalized at country level, the share at urban level is
much higher than at rural level. The evolution of the waste collection rate at national level,
according to ANPM, can be seen in Figure no. 2. In the graph that the level of waste collection in
rural area increased by up to 40% in 7 years in urban area the collection rate increased by 10%.

Figure 2 The connection to the sanitation service in Romania during 2008-2014 [3]

2.2 Collection of household waste in Maramureş County

In Maramures, according to data provided by APMM in the County Environmental
Report for the year 2015, the quantity of household waste generated was of 115,397.1 tons [4].
The quantities of household waste generated between 2010-2015 reported by the operators of
public sanitation services are shown in table no.2.

Table 2. Household waste generated during 2010-2015 in Maramures [4]

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Quantity collected 105.655,6 89.325,9 107.804,9 103.924 107.073 115.397,7
(tons)

The percentage composition of household waste generated in Maramureş County in

2015, is shown in table no.3.

Table 3 Percentage composition of household waste for 2015 [4]

Household waste generated Percentage %

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 Paper and cardboard waste 11,3
Plastics waste 10
Wood waste 3
Glass waste 35,4
Metal waste 12,5
Biodegradable waste 52,5
Inert waste 5,3

3. CREATIVE REUSE OF WASTE

In order to present the following creative ideas for waste reuse in the decoration of the
interior or the green space, we considered the following solid waste types:
• Plastic waste;
• Glass waste;
• Metal waste.

3.1 Plastics waste

Plastic is a material found in industrial products and common products, and modern life
is imaginable without it. At the same time, the features that make plastic so useful, such as
durability, low weight and low cost, complicate its removal. [5]
The main types of plastic waste generated in households and dwellings are:
• plastic packaging: bags, garbage bags, shopping bags;
• bottles, PETs, barrels, plastic containers, buckets;
• baskets for storing objects, boxes;
• Plastics cups, plastic bowls, caserolls, disposable dishes.
Plastics waste should be collected selectively in special yellow containers and marked
appropriately.
The PETs are the most numerous of plastics waste and occupy a large storage volume.
PETs can be reused:
➢ Planting the vegetable by filling it with earth and cultivating various aromatic plants such
as salad, parsley, thyme, dill etc. These types of "gardens" can also be an advantage in
terms of space optimization (figure no. 3);
➢ Use as flower pots. They can be used after cutting into a certain shape or can be painted
in different colors (figure no.4).

Figure 3 PET reuse for vertical gardens Figure 4 PET reuse for as flowers pots
surce: http://ideipentrucasa.ro/43-de-proiecte-pentru- surce: http://ideipentrucasa.ro/43-de-proiecte-pentru-
gradina-realizate-din-obiecte-reciclate/ gradina-realizate-din-obiecte-reciclate/

99
 3.2 Glass waste
Glass is often used in many household activities. We find it, for example, as glass for
windows, glass cups and plates, or as different types of packaging (jars, bottles). There are a
number of foods that lose their nutritional qualities if they are packaged in a different type of
packaging other than glass.
The main types of glass waste resulting from household activities are represented by:
- Packaging: bottles, bottling bottles, jars, perfume bottle;
- glasses, plates, bowls, etc.
Glass waste can be recycled indefinitely without the resulting products losing quality.
These can be collected separately in special white / green containers and marked accordingly.
Glass bottles from drinks can be used creatively in different ways for interior decoration:
candle holders, vases or flower pots (figure no.5).

Figure 5 Creative ideas of drinks bottles reuse

Surce: https://www.architecturendesign.net/25-diy-ideas-to-recycle-your-old-wine-bottles/

Glass jars can be reused to store the ingredients used for cooking or as a support for
pencils, pens, toothbrushes, make up brushes, etc. Large jars can be used as aquarium for fish or
flower vases.

3.3 Metallic waste

Metal waste is divided into two categories: ferrous metal waste (iron, steel, stainless steel
and cast iron) and non-ferrous metal waste (copper, brass, aluminum, lead, bronze).
Household metal wastes are mainly made up of metal packaging. They are selectively
collected in the special yellow-colored container.
The main types of metallic waste from households are represented by:
- Metal packaging: metal foil, cans, cans, metal barrels, aluminum cans for drinks, paint
boxes;
- Cookware and utensils: pots, pans, glasses, cutlery, plates, buckets, etc.
Metal boxes (wooden paint) resulting from household activities can be reused very well
as flower pots. Such a creative idea can be seen in Figure no. 6.

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 Figure 6 Creative ideas of metal boxes reuse
Surce: http://livedesain.com/taman-depan-rumah-minimalis-lahan-sempit.html/taman-depan-rumah-minimalis-
lahan-sempit-6

Metal barrels can be reuse for a unique garden arrangement. For a special aesthetic look
it is recommended to paint them or decorate with different designs. (Figure no.7)

Figure 7 Garden arrangement using metal barrels

Surce: http://www.gardendecors.net/wonderful-handmade-garden-decor-ideas/nice-handmade-garden-decor-ideas-
creative-handmade-garden-decorations-20-recycling-ideas-for/

3.4 Used tires

Used tires require a special management regime. The person who have used tire have the
obligation to hand them over to companies specialized in collection and recycling activities.
Used tires can be reused in many ways for decorating green areas and creating home furniture.
(Figure no.8)

Figure 8 Ideas for used tire reuse

Surce: http://trends4us.com/ideas/diy-tire-decor-ideas-to-ascent-your-home-interior-or-exterior.php
http://trends4us.com/ideas/diy-tire-decor-ideas-to-ascent-your-home-interior-or-exterior.php
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 4. CONCLUSIONS

Considering that in Romania the majority of the collected waste is eliminated by

depositing it on the landfills, the most recommended methods for reducing this are the
prevention of waste generation and its reuse.
Reuse of a product does not eliminate the waste, but this extends its life span by reuse for
purposes other than the one originally served. [6]
Recycling reduces the negative impact on the environment and on the people’s health and
its reducing the potentially harmful substances that some of the waste may contain. Reuse of
waste can lead to significant reductions in raw material and natural resources.
This type of waste reuse for creative or practical purposes can be associated with the
"ecologic house" concept as it is an important step in minimizing the generation of waste that
households produce.

REFERENCES
1. O.U.G no.195/2005 on environmental protection;
2. Law no.211/2011 on waste regime;
3. ANPM, Annual Environmental Report, Bucuresti 2016;
4. APMM, Maramures County Environmental Report for the year 2016, Baia Mare 2017
5. In depth report Plastic Waste: Ecological and Human Health Impacts, Science for Environment Policy, november
2011, p.1;
6. Coman M., General and Applied Ecology, Published Risoprint, Cluj-Napoca, 2010.

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