Page 178 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

goods and items. People need to be encouraged for the practice of 3R method (Reduce,
Reuse and Recycle) for reduction and management of wastes. People need to reduce use of
renewable and non-renewable natural resources as far as possible. When those resources
are utilized less, there will be less production of solid wastes. Actually, we need to give
priority for use of perpetual natural resources. When we reduce the use of resources, solid
wastes will be produced less and they can be managed properly.
Reduction of wastes can be done in some other ways which are described below:

i. Classification
Initially, the wastes like paper, plastics, rubber, glasses, metals, broken utensils, damaged
earthen items, food stuff, vegetable parts, animal parts, etc. should be classified into
biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. Classification of wastes actually supports
in effective management of wastes.

ii. Reuse
Using the same substance time and again is regarded
as reuse of resources. We need to make habit of reusing
the same substance time and again as far as possible.
Generally, paper, plastics, bottles (medicine, cold drinks,
beer cans), etc. should be reused. The plastic bottles, glass
bottles, beer cans, juice cans, etc. should be collected,
cleaned disinfected and reused. Reuse of the substances
makes less production of solid wastes and helps in
reduction of over utilization of various resources.
Fig: 33
iii. Recycle
The process of converting old substances into new ones is called recycling. The solid
wastes can be reduced by recycling them. Generally, the wastes like paper, plastics,
glasses, metals, rubber, etc. can be recycled. Recycling helps in saving the resources from
over-utilization as well as in reduction of solid wastes.

b. Collection of wastes
As we cannot stop producing solid wastes, at least, they need to be collected properly,
transferred to a particular place and dumped properly. There are some ways for collection
of solid wastes. They are described below:

i. Community method
In this method, different types of containers or dustbins, either
big or small, are placed in different places in the locality. People
are supposed to throw the wastes produced from their homes in
those containers rather than throwing here and there. When the
container is full, municipality office or concerned authority takes
away those wastes in a particular dumping site where they are
properly disposed. Fig: 34
178 GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9