Garbage In, Garbage Out

The method of preparing compost with the help of red worms/earthworms is known as vermicomposting. It is high quality manure rich in nutrients and good for growth of potted domestic plants.

When we put kitchen waste into a pit they get degraded by action of microbes and convert into compost as kitchen wastes are biodegradable wastes.

Polythene bags are not environment friendly so we should not use them to dispose wastes. They are non-biodegradable, remain as such in environment causing pollution.

Burning of leaves produce harmful gases or fumes which pollute environment. These gases are harmful to our environment. A large amount of heat is produced. Dried leaves and other plant parts can be used to prepare compost.

Green bins are used to collect biodegradable wastes like vegetable peels and egg shells. Blue bin is used to collect newspaper and journals. Red bins are used to collect metal chips, plastics, screw and nuts.

First a pit should be dug and its bottom should be covered with sand then garbage is put into the pit. Then the pit is covered loosely with grass or gunny bags by adding some red worms in it.

i. Vermicomposting

Organic wastes like kitchen wastes can be dumped into a pit and by using red worms can be converted into vermicompost and this process is called vermicomposting.

ii. Landfill

The non-biodegradable garbage is taken to low lying areas called landfills and non-useful garbage is filled in pits dug in these landfills.

iii. Recycling

Old newspaper, paper bags can be recycled in recycling units.

(i) Compost: Substances converted into manure for use in agriculture

The biodegradable wastes like kitchen wastes can be dumped into a pit and can be converted into manure which can be used in agriculture. This is called compost and the process is called composting.

(ii) Landfill: Garbage buried under soil in an area.

The non-biodegradable garbage is taken to low lying areas called landfills and non-useful garbage is filled in pits dug in these landfills areas and covered with soil.

(iii) Recycling: Reuse of used material in the same or another form.

Recycling means separation of used materials and sending them to their respective cycling units to obtain new things from used products.

a. Recycling.

It is a process of using discarded items like newspaper to make fresh objects like greeting cards.

b. Garbage.

The waste materials are thrown into waste bins and these are called garbage.

c. Vermicomposting

It is the process of making compost from kitchen wastes using red worms. This compost has high nutritive value used as manure in kitchen gardens.

d. Landfill

The parts of the garbage that cannot be used are spread out in landfill areas and then covered with soil. These landfills are low lying areas.

i. Rotting smelly garbage can be converted into compost which can be used as a manure in kitchen gardens or potted plants.

ii. Dry leaves can be converted into compost used as manure in kitchen gardens and potted plants

iii. Old newspaper can be recycled to make paper bags, greetings cards etc.

No, Paheli’s actions was not responsible because she had wasted many papers. If I would have been in her place I would have used the discarded paper as rough paper or I can used them to make any decorative items. The discarded paper can be converted into paper pulp to make any handicraft item.

i. The two kinds of wastes are biodegradable wastes which can be converted into simpler forms by action of microbes. Other is non-biodegradable wastes which cannot be degraded due to action of microbes. So both these wastes should be separated from each other and thrown into different waste bins. Biodegradable wastes can be converted into compost and can be used as a manure. Non-biodegradable wastes can be recycled in recycling units and which cannot be recycled can be dumped in landfills.

ii. Plastics items, metals, glasses etc. can be sent into landfills

Kitchen wastes like fruits and vegetables peels, dried leaves, plant wastes etc. can be send for composting.

i. Burning leaves will produce a lot of fumes and gases, smoke which are harmful to our health. It causes cough and breathing problems. Release of toxic gases causes diseases in living organisms.

ii. Instead of burning we can convert the dry leaves into compost which can be used as a manure in kitchen gardens or potted plants.

Egg shells, straw, dry flowers, left over food, dead animals etc. are biodegradable wastes which can be converted into manure by action of microbes. But pebbles, broken glass pieces, nails and screws, plastic bangles, steel broken vessel are non-biodegradable so microbes cannot act upon them to convert into manure.

Family X is more environmentally conscious because this family disposes kitchen wastes and polythene bags separately. Kitchen wastes are biodegradable and can be converted into compost which can be used as a manure. But polythene bags are non-biodegradable hence should be separated from kitchen wastes.

Step

Some steps of vermicomposting are-

a. A pit can be dug in a suitable place in our garden.

b. Sand should be spread on the floor of pit.

c. We can add kitchen wastes like fruit and vegetable peels, left overfood etc. into the pit.

d. Water should be sprinkled to keep them moist.

e. Place some red worms in it.

f. Cover the pit with grass or gunny bags.

a. When I see a rag picker I think he might be poor not able to get enough food so he might be engaged in this work for income. He separate useful and non-useful things from garbage. He separates recyclable and non-recyclable wastes. He might not be so much educated to get good jobs in other fields so he may have chosen this as his profession.

b. Cow is getting exposed to hazardous things. Polythene bag may stuck in his throat causing choking. So due to our irresponsibility it may prove havoc to cow’s health.

c. Due to improper disposal of garbage it is causing health hazard, pollution. It serves as a breeding place for flies, mosquitoes and other microbes which are responsible for various diseases. Foul odour coming from garbage may cause health related problems. So it is better to dispose our garbage properly which is the responsibility of each and every citizen.

We can make hard boxes and other articles by using paper pulp in the following ways-

a. A stencil can be created by unfolding a small, one piece cardboard box and tracing it on a piece of cardboard of same size as of mold. The shape can then be cut out.

b. The box stencil is placed between mold and deckle.

c. The mold, stencil and deckle is raised to the surface in one continuous motion and then removed from pulp.

d. The box is removed from stencil and the paper is left to dry.

e. The box is assembled by folding and taping the edges. We can decorate as per our needs.

Yes the ban on plastics is justified as

a. Plastic is non-biodegradable waste.

b. Burning of plastics release toxic gases which cause pollution and health hazards.

c. If not discarded properly it chocks drainage system causing problems.

d. Animals eat plastics which cause death.

e. It is hazardous to marine and aquatic life too.

f. They cause solid waste problems.

People are using paper bags instead of plastic bags due to this ban and thus reducing the use of plastics. They are also taking proper care of plastic disposal thus wastes caused by plastics is getting reduced.

Burning of plastic items produce dangerous toxic gases which cause health hazards as well as environmental pollution. The gases released cause respiratory problems, it also pollute air. Left over ashes are toxic which cause soil pollution and if consumed by animals may cause death.

a. If cooking medium is made to flow down a drain it may clog the pores of soil or may block the pipe lines.

b. If insecticides, motor oil or paints are poured down the drain it may kill the microbes that are used to purify waste water flowing through drains.

c. Tea leaves, cotton swabs, old soft toys if thrown into drain may clog the pipe lines and water cannot flow through drains it may come out into roads or public places causing havoc.

a. We prefer to use paper bags rather than polythene bags as paper bags can be recycled but polythene bags are non-biodegradable and persist in the environment as such causing pollution and various health hazards.

b. Every member of the family whether father, mother, brother or sister should properly dispose the garbage. It is the duty of every citizen, family members to dispose garbage properly.

c. Earthworm is used for vermicomposting as they can convert organic wastes like kitchen wastes, plant wastes, animal wastes into compost which can be used as a manure in agricultural fields.