WASTE MANAGEMENT...

Waste and hazardous materials management

In the last few decades, waste management has been one of the most essential environmental concerns since it’s a serious threat to human health and the environment. Some factors like rapid industrialization, urbanization, and increasing population have led to increasing waste disposals. According to (K.Kanagamani, P.Geethamani &M.Narmatha) Traditional way used to control waste is dumping it in open ground and burning them and this exposes soil, air, and water pollution. It’s very essential to identify non–hazardous waste and hazardous waste management that increase waste production. Non-Hazardous waste is any waste has does not harm people and the environment. They include papers, cardboards, and office products amongst others.

?Hazardous material has a potential threat to public health and the environment they can be in form of liquids, solids, gases, and commercial products like pesticides. It's very key to reuse non-hazardous material that leads to a clean and comfortable environment for both humans and animals. Hazardous waste can lead to serious health issues like headache, nausea, and birth defects and can also cause cancer. Various processes can be used to control the increase of waste which includes transportation of wastes, recycling and treatment, and monitoring waste disposal sites. Some international and government agencies are trying to reduce waste disposal which is a tough exercise since the wastes are disposed of from different sources. Toxic waste contaminates land, air, and water ( K.Kanagamani, P.Geethamani &M.Narmatha).

?Transportation is one way used to reduce pollution mostly air. Transportation control measures (TCMs) are strategies that are put in place to ensure that there is a reduction in air pollution. Public transits are other substitutes that are less polluting hence helping in reducing pollution. TCM ensures that there are smooth operations in transport sectors and that there is less waste disposal (EPA). Wastes require transportation to disposal sites for treatments and storage. Government agencies provide special attention that preventing waste spills (K.Kanagamani, P.Geethamani &M.Narmatha).

?EPA’S and local climate?and Energy programs have a specific transport control document jointly with EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality(OTAQ) that acts as a source of information, tools, and resources that identify regulation funding amongst others, this focuses on the reduction of emissions from transport sources. Most governments have adopted TCMs and if well implemented they can lead to a reduction of GHG emissions, infrastructure, air pollution, travel cost for the residents, and increases in local businesses. The changes made by TCMs also lead to increase life quality and reduces cost for employers and individuals (EPA).

UNEP ?stated that recycling solid products like plastics, electronics, and agricultural biomass has led to reducing pollution in the environment leading to a considerable saving of resources. Another benefit of recycling is that it creates job opportunities for the youths. In Brazil, China, and the United States recycling has created jobs for over 12 million. International Environment Technology Centre based in Japan centers its attention on managing waste by involving stakeholders in the process at local levels. EPA pinpointed that recycling and treatment of hazardous wastes have some benefits in reducing consumption of raw materials where materials are treated and later disposed of. This material should be well stored to prevent fire, spilling, and leakages which can lead to contamination of drinking water hence exposing humans and animals to water-borne diseases.

Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) have laid out short-term storage facilities and final treatment and disposal sites for hazardous waste products. Special measures should be introduced to ensure that there is the protection of soil, groundwater, and air resources since they manage large volumes of waste and has a higher degree of risks therefore require generic facility management and rules to govern hazardous waste management (EPA).

Monitoring waste disposal site. Disposing materials in the environment leads to an unsuitable amount of waste that enters the natural hydrologic system. Barriers are used to collect the waste that is left in the cities they are stabilized and made into solid depending on the waste type. The waste site consists of two impermeable liners and a leachate collection system. A liner has an upper layer and lower layer that helps in the Accumulation of leachate trapped in the fills. The main components in the leachate from the disposal site are grouped into major elements and ions such as calcium, carbonate, and sodium, trace metals like lead and manganese, and a wide variety of organic compounds and biological agents. Industrial waste increases leachate and the concentration of heavy metals are of great concern to other leachate components.

According?K.Kanagamani, P.Geethamani & M.Narmatha to deep waste?disposal is another technological?ways of disposing of liquid industrial waste involve the use of injection wells to place treated and untreated liquid wastes into geological formations that do not allow contamination into potable water purifiers. High pressures are used to compel liquids into the pores. This process is cost-friendly and requires little waste but has a high risk of leaking wastes hence polluting the underground water resources. Bedrock disposal help in disposing of solid waste bedrock design in a way that prevents leakage of waste to the water by groundwater and is mostly used for high–level radioactive wastes, sealed in stainless steel and buried in I stable rock structure underneath.

In conclusion, every person is encourage to use the above methods to ensure that the environment is well kept and is free from pollution hence reducing diseases related to waste contamination.