6 hacks to help you get rid of solid waste

We cannot avoid the generation of solid waste, but adoption of the following integrated approaches can reduce the waste that ends up in dumping sites.

This method is hierarchical; from the most preferred state to the least preferred, but offers a most practical way to manage waste and conserve our environment.

Prevention: Endeavour to prevent the production of waste in order to reduce solid waste entering the waste stream.

Avoid using items such as polythene bags.

Rethink before purchasing any item especially those that cannot be reused.

Use products that do not generate a lot of waste. Avoid buying what you do not need.

Minimisation: If you cannot prevent waste generation, minimise its production. This can happen by reducing the purchase and usage of items that generate large amounts of waste.

Reuse: Develop a tendency of reusing items that you have already consumed.

Reusing not only saves money but also reduces waste that enters the waste stream.

Do not keep or dispose an item if it can be reused. If you cannot reuse it, give it to someone who can make use of it, for instance electronic devices such as phones can be passed on from one person to the next.

Recycling: If you cannot reuse an item, it is best to sell it for recycling rather than dump it. Recycling not only reduces waste in dumping sites, but creates wealth and jobs.

Energy recovery: If you must dump solid waste recover energy from it before disposing it. If you are unable to recover the energy therein, give it to those who can do that. Besides saving energy, its recovery also mitigates global warming that is caused by garbage.

Disposal: Dispose waste if it is the only better option remaining after trying preferred waste management practices such as recovery, reuse and recycling. Segregate the solid wastes and dispose it in a designated dumping site.

The practices above if carried out well would go a long way in keeping our environment clean and preserving it.