Tag: waste generation and management

Pulverization is a mechanical process that grinds or shreds waste, significantly reducing its volume and altering its physical characteristics to make it easier to handle or compact.

Lighter components of solid waste, such as plastics and certain organic materials, have a lower density than seawater and will therefore float on the surface.

Total solids in a water or waste sample are defined as the sum of total dissolved solids and total suspended solids.

Solid waste classification is broad and includes various categories such as rubbish (non-putrescible), garbage (putrescible), and agricultural waste.

Audiovisual components, televisions, VCRs, stereo equipment, mobile phones, other handheld devices and computer components contain valuable elements and substances suitable for reclamation, including lead, copper and gold. One of the major challenges is recycling the printed circuit boards from the electronic wastes. The circuit boards contain such precious metals as gold, silver, platinum, etc., and such base metals as copper, iron, aluminium, etc. 

Biomedical waste may be infectious waste include discarded blood, sharps, unwanted microbiological cultures and stocks, body parts after amputation. The wastes may also include bandages and dressings, discarded gloves, other medical supplies that may have been in contact with blood and body fluids, and laboratory waste. This waste is highly infectious. The method used for the disposal of biomedical waste is incineration. Incinerators are operated at very high temperatures. This temperature kills and destroys the microorganisms and pathogens. Autoclaving is done for reusable products like gloves. 

Solids waste that are generated must be segregated as dry waste and wet waste. This would help in better treatment and disposal of waste. Paper is wet waste whereas resin plastic and rubber are dry waste.

The waste that is generated from hospitals and clinics is classified as biomedical waste. The waste includes bandages, syringes, gloves, waste cotton, saline etc. in this category.