What are waste ?
Wastes are substances that are also known as rubbish, trash, junk and garbage that humans consider to have no further usage. Have you ever thought about the wastes that we are dumping in our daily life is actually causing a big problem ahead of us. If the wastes are not treated in a right way, the chemical that have accumulated might be harmful to humans. In many scenarios, these cases can actually be avoided if everyone in the society gives a second thought about the waste usage before discarding them.
Why is it an issue ?
Waste management is becoming a serious issue in Australia as the urban growth have caused the increase in wastage.
Types of waste
The most common wastes that can be found in Australia are categorized into 3 types. They are solid matters, liquid waste and hazardous waste . These wastes are disposed inappropriately in in all environments from footpaths, roads, train stations, beaches, parks, waterways, rivers and oceans.
Solid matters
The term solid waste or municipal wastes mostly refers to household garbage or non-soluble materials/items.
Examples : agricultural refuse, industrial waste, mining residues, demolition waste, municipal garbage or even sewage sludge.
Examples : agricultural refuse, industrial waste, mining residues, demolition waste, municipal garbage or even sewage sludge.
Liquid Waste
Sewage is the used water that is disposed from homes or industries. It contains 99.94 % of water and 0.06% of dissolved materials. Sewage is normally transported in small form of liquid with suspension of small solid in large pipes called sewers. The waste water may either be directed to a specific place or to be recycled. Sewage waste should be far from human settlements as it can lead to water borne diseases.
Examples : Human waste, waste from showers, washing machines, ink from photocopiers, and industries such as breweries and dairy factory where water is used.
Examples : Human waste, waste from showers, washing machines, ink from photocopiers, and industries such as breweries and dairy factory where water is used.
HAzardous waste
Sometimes referred to as 'toxic waste', hazardous wastes that requires special handling when being disposed because of the threat it poses to humans and the environment. Nuclear waste is an example of hazardous waste. Mismanagement of this type of waste can be detrimental to living organisms.
Examples : Nuclear, Flammable liquids, garden chemicals etc.
Examples : Nuclear, Flammable liquids, garden chemicals etc.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Australians have generated approximately 43.8 million tonnes of waste in 2006–07. The states responsible for the largest proportions of the country’s waste generation in 2006–07 were the three most populous states: NSW (35%), Victoria (23%) and Queensland (18%).
Urban growth in Australia has caused the amount of waste generated per person to increased. The reasons for this could be because of the improved standard of living and Australia's demographic factors. A consequence of Australia's fast-growing, materially intensive economy is the production of large quantities of waste. International evidence suggests that economic growth contributes to the growth of waste generation per person.
Population demographics can also influence waste generation volumes. Australians tend to live in smaller household groups than they have in the past. A possible consequence of this is an increase in the consumption of smaller goods that have more packaging.
Reference :
Urban growth in Australia has caused the amount of waste generated per person to increased. The reasons for this could be because of the improved standard of living and Australia's demographic factors. A consequence of Australia's fast-growing, materially intensive economy is the production of large quantities of waste. International evidence suggests that economic growth contributes to the growth of waste generation per person.
Population demographics can also influence waste generation volumes. Australians tend to live in smaller household groups than they have in the past. A possible consequence of this is an increase in the consumption of smaller goods that have more packaging.
Reference :