Waste Segregation - Big Deal?!

Knowing how to segregate waste produced in our own houses and workplace is as important as the usual chores. But still most of us tend to ignore. What is waste segregation?

The term "waste segregation" refers to the separation of waste material into dry and wet categories. Food waste and other organic wastes are classified as wet wastes, whereas metal, plastic, wood, and other recyclable trash are classified as dry wastes.

Depending on the category, dry waste is recycled, while moist waste is composted and used in manure production.

Need of waste segregation 

An average Indian household generates around 1.409 kg of waste every day. Out of that only, 5% is recycled. One of the reasons behind this less recycling rate is the poor segregation of waste. It is both wastes of money and time for the recycling companies to separate dry and wet wastes. As a result of poor segregation, recyclables frequently wind up in landfills alongside non-recyclables.

 How to segregate waste in house or workplace

• Identify wet and dry waste
• Assign two different (colour/shape) bins for wet and dry waste and label them.
• The food waste should be in the wet waste bin and the others in dry waste.
• Wash and dry the plastic waste from the kitchen before putting them in the dry waste bin.
• Try to segregate paper and plastic separately from the other dry wastes.
• Keep a separate bin for hygiene-related wastes (diapers, sanitary napkins/pads).

Don’t be an aspirational recycler.

An aspirational recycler is a person who believes something should be recyclable and puts it in the recycling bin, assuming that if it isn't, the people at recycling factory will just sort it out. Don't be that guy.

Know your waste and segregate.