Why Waste Segregation Is More Important Than You Think

Scientists continue to warn the world about increasing waste production and point out the importance of proper waste management. Waste comes in different forms and needs to be dealt with differently. Therefore, understanding waste segregation and how to segregate waste is crucial to achieving overall waste management goals. 

The process of segregating waste involves grouping it into different categories. Waste categories are based on the characteristics of the waste. Identifying the type of waste correctly is essential for segregating waste appropriately.

Waste Classification Is the Key

Sorting and segregating waste are two different processes. Waste segregation refers to the classification of waste into different categories. Waste is placed in its category at the point of dumping or collection. Based on their biological, physical, and chemical properties, wastes are classified into several categories:

• Wet Waste: Refers to biodegradable organic waste. Food items, soiled food wrappers, hygiene products, yard waste, paper towels, etc.
• Dry Waste: Refers to non-biodegradable waste that includes recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Paper, clothing, plastic, wood, glass, etc.
• Sanitary Waste: Refers to a type of hygiene waste. Used diapers, sanitary towels or napkins, tampons, condoms, incontinence sheets, and any other similar waste.
• E-Waste: Refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices. Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, etc.
• Hazardous Waste: Refers to items that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive components.
• Inert Waste: Refers to wastes that are unreactive biologically and chemically.

Benefits of Waste Segregation

Waste segregation facilitates the process of reuse, recycling, and recovery of waste. Segregating waste can improve the recycling process. For example, separating wet waste from dry waste is a simple way to help recycling companies. It will help to recycle non-biodegradable waste and treat biodegradable waste directly. Thereby, only degradable wastes will be disposed of into the natural environment, leading to less overall pollution. Waste segregation promotes the efficient use of our resources and protects them for future generations. Yet, the importance of waste segregation is not limited to that. 

Separating waste helps reduce landfill waste. Today, landfills are a growing problem because of the increasing population and their consumption patterns. Waste segregation is an ideal way to diminish the impact of landfills on the environment as well as health issues that can result from improperly disposed of wastes and toxins.

Unless waste is segregated before it is disposed of, it might get mixed up at the landfill. Can you imagine what would happen if that waste contained methane or carbon dioxide? It could lead to serious problems because both are greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

Stairway to Public Health

The disposal of waste without segregation may leak harmful chemicals into the soil as well. In the long run, this can damage soil fertility and affect human health adversely. 

The advantages of waste segregation are much more than that! Segregating waste is also essential for public health, especially when it comes to separating hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Health-related problems can arise when waste is thrown away without segregation. Various types of illnesses can be caused by non-biodegradable and toxic waste, including skin irritations, growth issues, and more. Waste segregation also protects the health of the workers who handle it directly.

Cost-Effective and Environmentally-Friendly

It is becoming increasingly important for construction companies to have a waste management plan. Financial reasons are the main reason for segregating construction waste. In the average construction business, 100 metric tones of waste are generated every year. The majority of this waste is sent to landfills, which are costly for businesses. 

Construction waste can be recycled more efficiently when it is separated. Also, profit margins per project increase when waste is sent to landfills less often. Yes, waste management plans are created in the office, but they must be implemented on the site. If staff is educated and trained to follow waste segregation guidelines, less waste ends up in landfills. Each and every project will benefit from lower disposal costs, lower levels of waste, and larger profit margins.

Healthcare waste management strategies must also include waste segregation as a key component. Waste should be separated at the source to reduce infection risk and disposal costs. Keeping hazardous waste separated at its source ensures that it is treated safely and sustainably without putting the health of healthcare workers or patients at risk. Waste should be collected in appropriate containers labeled and colored according to the type of waste generated.

Digitize Each Step with Evreka’s Solution

Waste segregation creates greater value if it is practiced in a fully efficient waste management process. Bill Gates says “The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency”. Evreka makes the entire waste management process perfectly efficient with all-inclusive digital solutions.

Evreka aims to achieve operational excellence in waste management and helps users to achieve their sustainability goals. The end-to-end solution from Evreka manages complex processes in a scalable and automated manner. The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) Management solution is specially designed to handle recyclables directly. It provides excellence in material flow management. Efficiency does not have to be a challenge anymore! Evreka’s digitized solutions have helped many users enjoy high performance in waste operations.