Yes finding Eco-friendly waste management methods can be a tedious task. And people usually get overwhelmed by this due to the unavailability of a convenient Waste Management Infrastructure in place. This is common in West African States, where indiscriminate waste sites are still prevalent. The method the people employ in managing waste plays a vital role in their overall environmental health standard – From Climate Change to unsolicited Distribution of toxic matter through the environ, unguarded management of waste can lead to critical casualties on the Ecosystem.
So how can you contribute in your own way to help protect the environment by ensuring you dispose your domestic wastes in the most Eco-friendly method? Here are simple Eco-friendly waste management methods you could use to contribute to environmental protection.
Eco-Friendly Waste Management Methods In West Africa
Plastic Recycling Via Reusing
Do you know that you don’t need a recycling plant to recycle most plastic wastes? Yes, plastic constitutes a significant amount of environmental wastes: Shopping sachets, packaging nylons, packaging containers and numerous utilities contribute to the accumulation of plastic wastes in our daily life.
The good news is, some of this materials can be reused over and over. Plastic cans and sachets can be washed and resold to second hand users. Who are these second hand users? Home beverage makers, bakers, kiosk and roadside stores, are all second hand users who are in dire need of these materials.
Also, in the case of a broken or useless plastic, you can accumulate this over time and sell/offer it to plastic scavengers. If you have a recycling collection center around you, you can also offer it to them.
Composting
You might have read something about composting during primary school Agricultural science classes. Well, now you’ll learn something about it again. Composting simply means gathering a mixture of organic materials, foods and plants and setting them up to decompose over time. The resultant product is a mixture rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms, such as worms and fungal mycelium.
You will agree with me that apart from Plastic wastes, the second most common type of waste across the West African subcontinent is organic wastes. Remains of foods, plants and organic matters such as cartons, woods, fabrics and papers are major constituents of dump sites across West Africa. This type of wastes can actually be ridded of through a more environmental friendly method such as composting.
The resultant product is called a compost, which is used to improve soil fertility. This fortifies the soil with nutrients needed for healthy plants. Composting is of various types: aerobic, anaerobic, and vermicomposting. Aerobic composting uses air to break down the organic materials. Anaerobic composting requires no special effort; just mix your compost and allow it to decay over time. Vermi-Composting uses worms, oxygen and moisture to decompose the organic mixture.
Any of the methods works depending on what’s convenient for you. While Aerobic and Anaerobic Composting can be very stinky, it is totally eco-friendly. Vermi-Composting produces little to no odor but requires technical expertise.
Conclusion
Now you know you can actually contribute in your own little way to better the environment. Next time, before you burn that plastic or dispose that food waste, remember you can do better. With good discipline, you can help save the ecosystem from toxic pollution and environmental harm.
Read Also : CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTALLY DEMEANING IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING IN WEST AFRICA
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