Course Description

Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management processes and waste-related laws, technologies and economics mechanisms. Waste can be solid, liquid, or gases and each type have different methods of disposal and management. Waste management deals with types of waste including industrial, biological, household, municipal, organic, biomedical, radioactive wastes. proper management of waste is important for building sustainable and livable cities but it remains a challenge for many developing countries and cities. Waste collection methods vary widely among different countries and regions. Domestic waste collection services are often provided by local government authorities, or by private companies for industrial waste. Some areas, especially those in less developed countries, do not have formal waste collection system.  The segregation of waste is very important: this is the separation of wet and dry waste. The purpose is to recycle dry waste easily and to use wet waste as compost. When segregating waste, the amount of waste that gets landfilled reduces considerably, resulting in lower levels of air and water pollution. Importantly waste segregation should be based on the type of waste and the most appropriate treatment and disposal. There are multiple facets of waste management that all come with hazards, both for those around the disposal site and those who work within waste management.