Waste Management

Mains Marks Booster 31st July 2023

Download PDF (English)

Zero Waste

Introduction:

Zero waste is a philosophy and environmental initiative aimed at eliminating waste by rethinking resource life cycles to conserve and recover resources, rather than disposing of them. It involves reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to prevent waste generation, ultimately aiming for a circular economy where no trash is sent to landfills, incinerators, or the ocean.

Waste crisis:

2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste are generated annually.Only 55% are managed in controlled facilities.Approximately 931 million tons of food are lost or wasted each year.

Up to 14 million tons of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems

Purpose:

Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Support the shift towards circularity.
Raise awareness of the contribution of zero-waste initiatives to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Benefits of Zero Waste

Minimization of waste generation.
Addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Protection of the environment.
Enhancement of food security.
Improvement of human health and well-being.

Responsible approach

Responsible for production, consumption, and disposal.
Designing durable products.
Reducing resource-intensive production and transportation.
Managing demand.
Promoting consumer behavior changes (e.g., reusing and repairing items).

Collective action

Collaboration among governments, communities, industries, and stakeholders.
Strengthening waste management systems.
Improving recovery systems.
Implementing sustainable consumption and production goals.

Conclusion: International Day of Zero Waste propels the transition to a sustainable future, inspiring action, promoting responsible waste management, and fostering the adoption of circular economy principles. By raising awareness and supporting zero-waste practices, we contribute to a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society.

Circular Economy

Introduction: A circular economy maximizes resource utilization by designing products for longevity, reuse, and recycling, creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and promotes sustainable development.

Key principles and strategies

Reducing Waste and Pollution: Circular economy emphasizes waste prevention, efficient design, and eco-friendly production.
Extending Prduct Life Cycles: Products designed to be durable, repairable, and upgradable for resource efficiency.
Promoting Reuse and Recycling: Circular economy encourages repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling.

Need and benefits