Waste management refers to the process of how garbage is used as a valuable resource through recycling items that do not belong in the trash. It also involves proper handling of waste materials right from the collection point to dumping facilities. This is also in addition to compliance with health codes and environmental regulations. It is important to manage waste because certain types of wastes can be dangerous to the environment if not handled properly. Such wastes can potentially cause diseases or might sometimes get into water supplies.

Waste management has become important over a number of years. This has enabled people to start taking up responsibilities and roles on the best ways they can reduce environmental pollution.

Below we look at waste management tips that an individual can practice at home.

i. When you go to the shop, make sure you buy goods that can be recycled together with their packages. You can also purchase a grocery bag that you can use every time you go for shopping trip, instead of having items packed in a plastic bag.

ii. Use reusable ceramic and glass utensils as part of your household items. Dispose all plastic/paper plates and cups. This will reduce stacking piles of unnecessary plastic in your garbage every day.

iii. If you have any leftover foods, make sure to store them in reusable containers instead of using plastic bags or polystyrene container products.

iv. When collecting your garbage, make sure to sort it out into recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Companies that carryout waste management provide compartmented garbage bins, which can be used to keep the different recyclable and organic garbage separate, making it easier to recycle.

v. Plan in advance to buy your items in bulk as you go for shopping in order to reduce the amount of packaging you end up with. You could end up with unnecessary packaging materials if everything you buy is individually packed, which is not good for the environment.

vi. Enrich your soils through composting yard waste, which can also help to reduce water run-off. Different types of food scraps together with leaves and yard trimmings can also be combined in your backyard compost bin.

vii. Household items that are stored in the garage or in a house basement for a longer period are easily damaged by water, bugs or pests making them unusable. To avoid accumulating them as disposable garbage, it is wise to donate them or even sell them to willing buyers.

viii. If you have glass bottles, you can turn them into lovely crafts to decorate your home. Some people use these bottles to grow flowers in them while others will find instructional videos on the internet on how they can decorate and sell them as crafts.

When waste is managed properly, the environment is preserved. Water bodies such as lakes and rivers are protected from toxic materials, while the ozone layer is protected from air pollutants that result from burning hazardous waste products.