All businesses produce waste. It is, therefore, important to ensure that they dispose of it properly. Toxic wastes can cause irreparable damage to the environment if not handled correctly. They may cause health problems for both employees and the local communities. Even though waste disposal has been a matter of concern for a long time, it continues to be a problem. Some of the most common methods of waste disposal include:
- Recycling
This is the best type of waste disposal. The purpose of recycling is to transform your waste into functional products. Common materials for recycling are aluminum, paper, plastics, and glass. Recycling reduces wastage and is good for the environment.
- Composting
This waste disposal method is appropriate for getting rid of organic waste. With this method, microbes decompose waste after sitting in a pit for some time. The compost is rich in nutrients and may be great for use as manure. Even though it is a great method of waste disposal, it takes a lot of time.
- Sanitary Landfill
This is one of the most common methods of waste disposal. It involves dumping your waste in landfills. The base of the landfill is covered with a protective lining. The lining is a barrier between the waste and ground water. With landfills, toxic waste cannot get into the water zone. Landfills are created in areas with low groundwater and away from flooding sources.
- Incineration
The process of incineration includes the combustion of waste. In the process, they are transformed into base components. The generated heat is trapped to derive energy. By-products of the incineration process include inert ash and various gases. Even though the process can cause pollution, filters are often used to limit it. The process reduces waste by up to 90%.
- Disposal in Water Bodies
Certain types of wastes are disposed in the sea or ocean. Water bodies are great for disposing of radioactive waste. Even though most environmentalists do not advocate for this method, it has been used for a long time. Disposing of waste in the ocean deprives the waters of its nutrients.
- Plasma Gasification
This environment-friendly form of waste disposal converts commodity recyclables from landfills into energy. It is one of the best waste disposal options since it leaves minimal room for wastage. During the process, carbon-based materials are subjected to extreme temperatures which converts them to syngas. The gas may be directly combusted or refined into high-grade fuels. The non-organic part is converted into slag which is a raw material for the construction industry.
- Minimizing Waste Generation
Even though there are plenty of ways to get rid of waste, all businesses should strive to generate as little waste as possible. The primary cause of unnecessary waste is using unnecessary products. Disposing of waste takes its toll on the environment and it can cost you a lot of money. Make a conscious decision to minimize waste production as much as possible.
Oates Environmental is a vibrant company that specializes in waste disposal. If you need help disposing of your office waste, contact them today and get the help you need.