WASTE MANAGEMENT AND

MICROORGANISMS
BY
ONUOHA LILIAN OLUCHI
20181090765

MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
BEING A SEMINAR PAPER PRESENTED
TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
NOVEMBER, 2023
Introduction

What is Waste ?

Wastes are any unwanted material which may be by-products of manufacturing processes or
unwanted substances generated domestically. It also refers to any material, substance or
item that is no longer wanted or needed, and it is often discarded or disposed of. Wastes can
take various forms and may be generated from different sources, such as households,
industries and agriculture.

What is waste management?

Waste Management refers to the collection, transportation, processing, recycling and disposal of wa
materials. Sustainable waste management emphasizes reducing waste generation, increasing recycl
and resource recovery (United Nations 2018).
Waste management refers to the various schemes to manage and dispose of wastes. It can be by
discarding, destroying, processing, recycling, reusing, or controlling wastes. The prime objective of
waste management is to reduce the amount of unusable materials and to avert potential health and
environmental hazards.
Figure 1: picture of waste
(Source: daily mail.co.uk )
What are micro- organisms ?
Microorganisms are those
organisms that are too small to be
seen with the naked eyes. The
microorganisms include Bacteria
e.g., Escherichia coli, Fungi eg:
yeasts, molds, Virus e.g.: polio
virus, Algae e.g: chlamydomonas.
Other microorganisms include
prion, viroids, virusoids. These
microorganisms are either single
or multi cellular in nature

Figure 2: Picture of microorganisms,

(source: freepik.com )
Causes of Waste
The causes of waste can be broadly categorised into various key areas, which includes;

Consumerism: A culture of consumerism and disposable products contributes to waste generation.

People often discard items that are still functional or have a short life span (Schor, 2009).

Population Growth: As the global population continues to grow, there is an increase in the demands
for goods and services, leading to higher consumption and waste generation (United Nations. 2019).

Technological Advancements: Rapid technological advancements lead to the disposal of outdated

electronic devices, contributing to electronic waste (Baldè, et al.2017).

Agricultural and Food Waste: Food production and distribution systems often results in significant
food waste due to spoilage, inefficiencies and consumer preferences (Gustavsson, et al. 2011).

Inadequate Recycling and Waste Management Infrastructure: Poor waste management practices,
including limited recycling facilities and inadequate disposal methods, can lead to increased waste
generation (Kennedy, 2013).

Ineffencies in Supply Chains: Ineffcient supply chains results in the production of excess goods,
leading to waste when products become obsolete or unsellable (McKinnon,et al, 2009).
How is Waste Generated ?

Waste is generated through various human activities and can be

categorised into several types, including municipal solid waste,
industrial waste, hazardous waste and more. They include:

Municipal Solid Waste: This type of waste includes everyday items we use and
discard. It is generated from residential, commercial and institutional sources.
Some common components of municipal solid waste include paper, plastics,
food wastes, glass and textiles.

Industrial Waste: Industries generate waste as a by-product of their

manufacturing processes. The type and quantity of industrial waste can vary
widely depending on the industry.
Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste is potentially harmful to human health and
the environment. It includes substances that are toxic, flammable, corrosive or
reactive. Examples include: hazardous chemicals, contaminated soil.
Figure 3: Estimated volume of municipal solid waste generation in some Nigerian cities.
( source: gjournals.org )
Roles of Microorganisms in Waste Management

Biodegradation: Microorganisms break down organic waste through

enzymatic reactions (Kumar et al. 2017).
Composting: It involves the decomposition of organic waste into nutrient-
rich compost. Bacteria like Bacillus and Actinomycetes, and Fungi such as
Aspergillus and Penicillium are involved in the decomposition process
(Stentiford and Devlieghere, 2007).

Bioremediation: Microbes like oil eating bacteria help

clean up oil spills and contaminated sites (Leahy & Colwell
1990).

Sewage Treatment: Microorganisms in activated sludge systems

breakdown organic matter in sewage. Various bacteria such as Aerobic
bacteria eg: (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) and Anaerobic bacteria
(eg:Clostridium), play essential role in sewage treatment (Judd 2011).
Figure 4: Picture of composting,.
(source: blogspot.com )
Negative impacts of Microorganisms in waste management on the environment

Microorganisms play a crucial role in waste management, but they can also have negative
impacts on the environment. The negative impacts include:
Production of Greenhouse Gases: Anaerobic microorganisms in landfills can produce
methane, a potent greenhouse gas. This contributes to global warming (Reichenauer and
Watzinger, 2012).
Odor Emissions: Certain microorganisms in waste can produce foul odors, impacting air
quality and causing discomfort to nearby communities (Kim and Kim, 2019).
Pathogen Dissemination: Improperly managed bio-hazardous waste containing
pathogenic microorganisms can pose health risks and potentially spread diseases (WHO
2020).
Bioaccumulation of Toxic Substances: Some microorganisms can accumulate heavy
metals and other contaminants, potentially entering the food chain and harming
ecosystems (Kròl and Sobczak, 2010).
Leachate Contamination: Microorganisms in landfills can generate leachate, a toxic
liquid that can contaminate groundwater and surface water (Fatta-Kassinos et al., 2011).
Benefits and challenges Associated with Waste Management
Benefits Challenges

Environmental Protection Waste Generation and

Overconsumption

Resource Conservation Inadequate Waste Collection and

Disposal

Public Health
E-Waste and Toxics

Economic Benefits: Illegal Dumping

Reduction of landfill space Public Participation

Resource Recovery Plastic Pollution

Table 1: Benefits and challenges Associated with Waste Management

(source:Kim and Kim 2019)
 Solutions to challenges and recommendations

Solutions to the challenges Recommendations

Promote awareness and education on reducing waste, encourage Implementing Anaerobic Digestion: Encourage the use of anaerobic
responsible consumption, and develop sustainable product designs. digestion processes to convert organic waste into bio-gas and nutrient –
rich compost. This approach helps in reducing landfill waste and
harnessing energy from waste.

Increase surveillance and penalties for illegal dumping and improve Promote Composting: Educate communities on the benefits of
access to legal disposal options. composting with the help of microorganisms. Microbial action breaks
down organic matter into valuable compost, reducing the amount of
waste sent to landfills (Epstein 1997).

Develop public awareness campaigns, involve communities in waste Bioremediation of Contaminated Sites: Utilize microorganisms for
reduction and recycling initiatives, and provide education on sustainable bioremediation of sites contaminated with hazardous waste. Microbes
practices. can help break down pollutants and restore environmental health.

Encourage electronics manufacturers to design for recycling, promote Bioaugmentation for landfills: Explore bioaugmentation techniques using
responsible e-waste recycling, and regulate the use of toxic substances in specialized microorganisms to enhance waste degradation in landfills,
electronics. reducing methane emissions and accelerating waste decomposition
(Hamme & Singh 2008).

Table 2: Solutions to challenges and recommendations

(source:Kim and Kim 2019)
CONCLUSION
Waste, is any material which has little or no value to producer or consumer.
Humans with nearly all activities produce waste. The major coonent of municipal
solid waste represent organic fraction, mostly from domestic, agricultural and
industrial sources. Conventional waste management practices usually involve
one negative consequence or another. This necessitated the search for and
development of biological techniques, including the use of microorganisms that
produce environmental friendly outcomes.
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