Learn the basic principles and concepts of waste management here. The definition of common terms and the discussion of concepts, principles and waste classification will help you to understand the topic of waste management.

1. Basic Concepts of Waste Management
Waste is the result of the daily activities of humans and unnecessarily gets introduced
into the environment. Waste management refers to different methods and processes of
how to manage waste in an effective way starting from generation and collection of
waste to the final disposal.
The main purpose of waste management is to isolate different kinds waste and prevent
it from spreading into the environment in order to protect the health of individuals,
families and the community. The aesthetic value of a better perspective and a clean
physical environment is also important to our emotional well- being.
The waste we produce each day can be classified under-
1. Hazardous waste
2. Non-hazardous waste
Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste is classified by its properties and its potential to
cause damage to environment and society. Hazardous waste generally has one or
more of the following features:
 Corrosive (causes damage on contacts, e.g. acids)
 Ignitable (easily catches fire like benzene)
 Toxic (can be poisonous to humans when inhaled or ingested, or come into
contact with the skin or mucous membranes)
 Reactive ( produce harmful chemicals if they react with other substances)
 Infectious (causes or communicates infection).

2. Example: Obsolete pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides etc. are some potential sources
of hazardous waste in rural households.
Non- hazardous waste: This comprises all other waste types-
a) Solid Waste: This is basically unwanted and dry in form. This may include
household, industrial, commercial, or agricultural waste.
b) Liquid Waste: Liquid waste comprises any kind of wastes in liquid form,
such as, human or animal excreta, runoff (storm or flood water), sullage,
industrial wastewater and other forms of wastewater from various sources.
Why is waste management important?
The major reason comes from the importance of Public health. Improper waste
disposal is one of the main risk factors that affect the health and comfort of rural as
well as urban people.
Poor waste management can lead to pollution of the environment; increase the
breeding of insects causing vector-born diseases, animal scavengers and rodents and
lead to a variety of diseases through different ways of exposure, such as faeco- oral
and soil transmitted mechanisms.
What are the main components of waste management?
1. Liquid Waste Management: Liquid waste management includes on- site and
off- site treatment and disposal procedures. Some common methods are pit
latrines, drop-flush-and-discharge systems.
2. Solid Waste Management: This includes five major stages-
 On- site handling, storage and processing
 Collection
 Transfer and transport
 Recovery and processing
 Disposal
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