Master Recycling: Understanding What Is Dry Waste And How To Sort It

Waste is an important matter that often people choose to ignore. However, this ignorance results in a huge problem when people do not think twice and usually mix up dry waste with wet waste. 

Now, what is dry waste, and what is wet waste? Firstly, these two types of waste need to be understood, identified, and segregated. Only then can the bigger goals of a clean and green environment be achieved. With the increasing pollution and temperature levels, waste management has become a significant concern, greater than ever. In this adverse situation, Panaji, the capital of Goa, stands as a role model of an eco-friendly waste segregation system.

What is Dry Waste?

The main classification of waste is based on its nature—either biodegradable or non-biodegradable. The problem arises with the non-biodegradable form of waste, which does not mix with the soil. This type of waste is known as Dry Waste. Within Dry waste, certain types of waste can be recycled, and others cannot. So, it is important to identify what is dry waste and what is not.

Types of Dry Waste

Under dry waste falls all the non-organic waste materials, which cannot be decayed. This type of waste includes paper, clothes, bottles, glass, cans, wood paper, metals, and glass. Special care must be taken when the disposition of sharp objects like metals, razors, and glass since it might sever the fingers of those who collect the dry waste and even can slit the throat of innocent animals who might consume it with food. 

Sources of Dry Waste

So far, it has been known what is dry waste. Now, let's look at its sources. There are three main sources of dry waste:

1. Industrial Waste - Industrial waste mainly includes metal scraps and plastics. These are the main causes of fret and worry because industries casually emit waste materials in open spaces.
2. Commercial Waste - Educational institutions and offices are the main hubs for producing commercial waste, including paper and plastic materials.
3. Household Waste - Though wet waste accounts for the majority of domestic waste, one cannot ignore dry waste, which includes papers, plastics, and materials made of metals or glass. Household waste is perhaps the part where both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste merge. So, it is very important to segregate these two types of waste.

Options for Managing Dry Waste

Management of dry waste is as vital as knowing what is dry waste. For all three sectors—industry, educational and office sectors, and domestic sphere—it is important to incorporate the habit of disposing of dry waste in dustbins and not in the open field or water bodies. For household waste, it is important to maintain two separate bins—one for wet waste and the other for dry waste.

Municipality Corporations in India have already taken a huge step in this matter. One should be vigilant enough while disposing of sharp objects like metal scraps, glass, or razors and wrap them in old clothes or paper for safety. For this type of dry waste, Scrap Uncle provides an easy solution. They collect it at the convenience of people, from their doorsteps, and at good rates.

What is Waste Management and Why is it important?

Waste management is simply defined as the practice of collecting, transporting, and safely depositing waste in places for further processes. It has become the need of the hour. People often find it easy to dump waste on land and go away without thinking. However, these landfills will have severe repercussions if they are not taken into consideration. 

According to a Guardian report, thousands of landfills have been traced in England, causing environmental and health hazards. By effectively managing waste, one can ensure an eco-friendly society. By decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, the increasing rise of temperature can be put under control. This step is necessary for reducing soil infertility and water pollution. Additionally, Waste management also opens a new avenue for employment opportunities.  

What is Waste Segregation?

Waste segregation means sorting out the different types of waste based on their biological, physical, and chemical properties. This segregation mainly happens largely based on two categories- wet waste and dry waste, which are made based on their nature of decomposition. However, there are other sub-divisions, like hazardous waste, inert waste, sanitary waste, and e-waste.

Why is Waste Segregation Necessary?

It is crucial to segregate dry waste from wet waste so that biodegradable products like vegetable peelings can easily mix with the soil, enhancing its fertility, and non-biodegradable products can undergo Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (the 3Rs) respectively.

Segregation of Waste at Home

Segregation of Waste should begin at one's home, which can be put into practice by following a few simple tasks. One should keep separate dustbins for wet waste and dry waste and an individual paper bag for sanitary waste. The wet waste should be sent out daily, while dry waste can be dropped out once a week. For clarity purposes, one can keep different coloured dustbins, which helps in the identification of the rubbish, that is, dry waste, and garbage, that is, wet waste.

Segregation at the Individual and Community Level

Merely segregating waste at the individual level will not help if the community remains inert. If there are no regular waste collection facilities, individuals have no option but to dump dry, wet, and sanitary wastes together on open lands and water bodies.

Dumping dry wastes like paper, plastics, and chemicals in water bodies leads to the loss of aquatic life. This problem can be mitigated if the government, NGOs, and individuals join hands, especially in third-world countries, where knowledge regarding the segregation of waste remains in the nascent stage.

Benefits of Waste Segregation

Waste Segregation is an essential step toward a cleaner and safer environment. During the monsoon season, the drains often get clogged by plastics.  So, proper disposal of dry wastes is essential. The increase in population has led to difficulty in waste management. Therefore, if waste segregation is done at home, it will help the waste managers deposit the waste accordingly. With technological advancement, sun-based controlled trash segregators and Programmed Waste segregators can be put into mass practice for an effective resolution.

Conclusion

It can be concluded in a nutshell, that waste management is utterly essential both at the microcosmic as well as the macrocosmic level. Unlike other plans and policies, which remain difficult to handle or require a long planning strategy, waste management requires basic implementation policies and the consciousness of the individuals at large. The basic ability to differentiate and understand what is dry waste and what is wet waste is the key to all solutions. If waste segregation can be properly implemented, then waste management can be put into practice effectively. 

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