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• Things which we throw away and are useless to us is called garbage
• Garbage are of two types biodegradable waste and non biodegradable waste
• Biodegradable waste – Waste that can be decomposed by microorganisms into simpler substances e.g. vegetable remains, plant leaves etc
• Non biodegradable waste – waste that cannot be decomposed by microorganisms. E.g. plastic, glass, metals, etc
• Methods of Waste disposal –
  • Landfill – open area where waste from homes, hospitals, etc are collected is called landfill. Here from the garbage biodegradable waste and non biodegradable waste are separated. Later the biodegradable waste is buried under the layer of soil for decomposition.
  • Composting – Method of producing manure from biodegradable waste is called composting. Biodegradable waste is collected and buried under the ground. Microorganisms in the ground convert the waste material into manure. This is called composting. This manure is used in plants.
  • Vermicompost – it is an improved method of composting where decomposition of material is done with the help of earthworms
    • Dig 30 cm pit at a place with moderate temperature
    • Prepare 2 cm layer of sand in it and spread biodegradable waste here
    • Keep the layer loose, spray some water and add earthworms to it and cover the pit with gunny bags
    • Feed the earthworms with food such as vegetable and fruit wastes, weeds from field, husk etc
    • After 3 – 4 weeks waste turns into dark coloured compost
    • Dry the compost and use it as manure
  • Watch complete video of vermicomposting here
  • Three R’s of waste management –
    • Reduce – reduce use of paper by digital communication, plastic bags by using cotton bags etc
    • Reuse – Reuse plastic bottles and containers to grow plants
    • Recycle – Material such as paper, glass, plastic, can be recycled by appropriate method. Recycling minimizes the waste and reduces the amount of raw materials required to make similar things
• Disadvantage of plastic –
  • Burning of plastic produces smoke with harmful gases
  • Plastic thrown in an open area becomes home for microorganisms, that can cause disease
  • Plastic waste block sewers and drains and can cause flood like situation in rainy season
  • Plastic buried in the soil prevent seepage of water deep into the soil, thus affecting plant life
  • Occurance of plastic over water bodies blocks the contact of oxygen proving harmful for animals inside the water
• Plastic and environment – As plastic is harmful for environment , we should avoid using it. Replace the use of plastic bags with cotton or jute bags. Always throw plastic material in dustbin. Reuse plastic materials for planting trees. As plastic can be recycled, never throw it here and there, instead sell them to rag pickers. Spread awareness about the use of plastic.