Municipal Solid Waste Sorting for Recyclables
by Wasta
Posted on 25-01-2023 02:02 AM
Waste sorting refers to the practice of reducing the amount of waste that is generated and recovering its resources. This is a major step towards a more environmentally-friendly environment. In addition to lowering the amount of waste that is produced, it is also important to remove harmful materials from the environment.
The Importance of Waste Sorting to Reduce Waste Quantities
Waste management is the study of the various methods of reducing, reusing and disposing of waste. Its objective is to reduce the harmful effects of waste on human health and the environment.
Waste management includes the processes, technology and laws that are used to manage waste. Some measures include effective disposal facilities, transport and collection of waste and the integrated techno-economic mechanisms of a circular economy.
In high-income countries, the amount of waste generated per capita averages 0.74 kilograms a day. While in low-income countries, the amount is estimated to increase by at least three times by 2050. The global rate of waste generation is correlated with the level of income.
High-income nations generate a relatively lesser amount of food waste and green waste than lower-income nations. Furthermore, they provide nearly universal waste collection. However, most waste is now deposited in landfills or surface impoundments. These processes release toxic gases into the air and may contaminate groundwater.
Recover resources
A new game in town - Resource Recovery - has brought to light a few new gizmos and gadgets for the eco-minded. As a result, waste management is no longer just about recycling. It is about converting waste into reusable resources for the environment and the local economy. With this in mind, a slew of technologies have been developed to turn your trash into a source of revenue. This is a good thing because it will ensure a more sustainable and less polluted planet for us and our descendants.
One of the best ways to show off your recycling savvy is by making sure your recyclables are sorted out into various categories. If you have the right technology in place, you can get the most out of your investment and avoid the pitfalls of improper sorting. Plus, separating the waste streams in your home will make resource recovery a breeze.
Another way to show off your green credentials is to use recycled materials to manufacture new products. These include plastic and aluminum.
Remove harms
Sorting waste is a great way to save the planet while putting a few extra dollars in your pocket. A good place to start is your local government. They usually have a number of recycling programs to choose from. Some cities, such as New York, have even implemented a "waste sorting by design" program.
A good ol' fashioned trash bin can be turned into a veritable goldmine of recyclables. This can be used for things as varied as biodegradable toilet paper to composted waste to energy generated from your garbage. In addition to saving money, proper waste management has a myriad of social, environmental and psychological benefits. Having a better handle on your waste can also lead to a more aesthetically pleasing civic community.
The big question is, how do you go about it? Fortunately for the environmentally conscious, there is no shortage of well informed and committed municipal waste collectors. These are rewarded with a bounty of perks and benefits, as well as some hefty incentives in the form of a swanky new office suite and even a fancy car.
Impact of attitudes, social norms, and perceived behaviour control on waste sorting intention
Understanding what motivates citizens to implement waste management behaviour is essential to designing effective waste management interventions. A number of studies have explored this issue. They have shown that perceived behavioural control is the strongest predictor of intentions to sort waste.
A pilot intervention was designed to encourage systematic waste sorting and segregation. The study focused on households. It was conducted in collaboration with local non-governmental organizations. The enumerators followed a specified protocol and obtained oral consent before starting the interview.
The results suggest that perceived behavioral control, attitudes, and subjective norms play a major role in explaining behavioural intention. However, it is unclear whether these factors explain the difference in behavioural intention across countries. While differences in sample size may have played a part, it is also possible that different instruments used in the different countries would result in differing results.
The results support the utility of TPB in explaining behavioural intention. In other TPB-based studies in Saudi Arabia, perceived behavioural control was found to be a significant predictor of intention.