International Journal of Waste Resources

Uses of Solid Waste Management for the Protection of environment and Public Health

Albert Meliza^* Department of Science and Technology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
^*Correspondence: Albert Meliza, Department of Science and Technology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, Email:

Received: 28-Apr-2023, Manuscript No. IJWR-23-21466; Editor assigned: 01-May-2023, Pre QC No. IJWR-23-21466(PQ); Reviewed: 15-May-2023, QC No. IJWR-23-21466; Revised: 22-May-2023, Manuscript No. IJWR-23-21466(R); Published: 29-May-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2252-5211.23.13.534

Description

As this waste can be categorized according to where it is generated, for example as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Health Care Waste (HCW) and e-waste. MSW refers to the waste generated by households, commercial and institutional activities. HCW refers to the waste generated by health care facilities, such as hospitals, clinics and laboratories. E-waste refers to the waste generated by electronic and electrical equipment, such as TVs, computers and phones. Solid Waste Management (SWM) is the process of collecting, transporting, treating and disposing of solid waste, such as garbage, trash, refuse or discarded material. SWM is essential for building sustainable and livable cities, but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities. Improper disposal of solid waste can lead to adverse health and environmental consequences.

Some of the impacts are:

• It can leach toxic substances into the soil and groundwater, affecting the quality and availability of water resources. Solid waste can also emit greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change. Moreover, solid waste can generate foul odors and dust, affecting the air quality and aesthetics of the surroundings.

• This waste serves as a breeding ground for disease vectors, such as mosquitoes, flies and rats, which can transmit infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, cholera and plague. Moreover, solid waste can expose people to hazardous substances, such as heavy metals, chemicals and pathogens, which can cause acute or chronic illnesses, such as cancer, respiratory infections and skin diseases.

• It can affect the livelihoods and well-being of people involved in waste management activities, such as waste pickers, collectors and recyclers. These workers often face poor working conditions, low wages, social stigma and health risks. Moreover, solid waste can affect the tourism potential and property values of an area due to its negative impacts on the environment and public health.

To address these challenges and opportunities associated with SWM, some of the strategies that can be adopted are reduce, reuse and recycle which are of three types in SWM that aims to minimize the amount of waste generated and maximize the value of waste resources. Reducing means avoiding or decreasing of waste generation from the source. Reusing means using the same item more than once for the same or different purpose. Recycling means transforming the waste material into a new product or raw material. Integrated SWM system considers all aspects of SWM from generation to disposal in a coordinated and holistic manner. It involves planning, designing, implementing and monitoring SWM activities according to the local context and needs. It also involves engaging various stakeholders, such as government agencies, private sector, civil society and communities in SWM decision-making and implementation.

Environmentally sound technologies are appropriate for the local conditions and have minimal negative impacts on the environment and public health. They include technologies for waste collection, transportation, treatment and disposal that are efficient, safe and affordable. Some examples are composting, biogas production, incineration with energy recovery and sanitary landfills. Social inclusion is a strategy that aims to improve the livelihoods and well-being of people involved in SWM activities, especially the informal workers who collect, sort and recycle 15%-20% of generated waste. It involves integrating them into the formal SWM system through strategies such as providing them with legal recognition, social protection, training and equipment.

Conclusion

It also involves ensuring their participation in SWM planning and decision-making. Public awareness and education aims to increase the knowledge and awareness of the public about the importance of SWM for environmental protection and public health. It involves providing information on the sources, types and impacts of solid waste; promoting good practices on waste reduction, reuse and recycling; encouraging behavior change on proper waste disposal; and fostering a sense of responsibility and ownership among citizens for SWM. It is a vital component of urban development that affects both the environment and public health. By adopting effective SWM strategies, countries and cities can improve their environmental sustainability and public health outcomes and enhance.