January 2001
Let Us Rage War on Waste!!!
Wisdom M. Dlamini

Sustainable development will only become a reality if we adopt methods of production that generate less waste and fewer emissions than traditional industrial processes. Sometimes the change involves the adoption of new, cleaner technologies of production. Even without new technologies however, improvements in operation can often dramatically reduce the level of waste from the polluting industrial processes. A reduced level of emissions and wastes frequently means savings in costs of production, as less valuable raw material is squandered. The expanding human population is straining the planet’s capacities—not only its capacity to satisfy our relentlessly growing demands for food, energy, fresh water, and space to live, but also its ability to recover from the damage those demands have inflicted. By reducing wasteful use, and by steering production toward durable goods that are easy to recycle, recycle, or remanufacture, we can reduce the stress on our planet and also reduce the continued exploitation of resources on which we and the future generations depend. Waste is taken as a broad term to include any non-product discharge from a process. Thus, waste can be in the gaseous, liquid and solid phases. Now we ask how can we prevent the generation of waste? How can we reduce this waste? Can we reuse or recover this waste. The progressive shift from waste treatment towards waste prevention has the following benefits:

Waste quantities are reduced; raw material consumption and therefore costs are reduced; waste treatment costs ate reduced; the pollution potential is reduced; working conditions are improved; process efficiency is improved.

This is an area where everyone can make a contribution to living lightly on the planet. Reducing the amount of waste we produce means that less ends up in already overflowing landfills; it reduces the need for new raw materials, and so helps preserve the environment from destructive processes such as mining, power generation and water exploitation.

REDUCE
This is the most important step - if we do it well there will be less to re-use and recycle.

* Shop carefully: Buy in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging required; choose returnable or reusable containers.

* Avoid over-packaged products and unnecessarily packaged food, e.g. cling-wrapped vegetables on polystyrene trays.

* Choose durable articles that will last a long time.

* Buy products with a recycled content.

* Use rechargeable batteries where possible, cloth dishtowels and napkins instead of paper ones, and refillable ink pens. Avoid disposable plates, cups and cutlery.

* Store food in the fridge in re-useable, airtight containers, rather than plastic cling film, tinfoil or plastic bags.

* Take your own basket, or re-useable plastic bags, to the supermarket to avoid using new plastic shopping bags each time. Use the supermarket's trolley or basket when selecting items, and use your own bag or basket to carry it home. Ask your supermarket to take back used shopping bags.

* In the office and at school, photocopy on both sides of the paper.

RE-USE
Reusing has the advantage that the need for more resources from the environment is reduced. Already it is obvious that we already have enough of some materials in usage such that if we were to reuse these, pressure on the environment and our natural resources would decrease significantly. Where possible, re-use a product several times. If you can't use it again, find someone who can.

* Glass and plastic bottles with deposits can be returned to shops for re-use. Likewise, milk bottles are re-used by distributors.

* Wash and dry plastic bags for re-use.

* Staple together office paper that has only been written on one side, for scrap paper.

* Nursery schools make good use of the inside core of toilet rolls and paper towels, egg boxes, cereal boxes and jam jars.

* Charities welcome unwanted clothes, furniture, toys, books and magazines.

* Repair things rather than throw them away.

RECYCLE
Recycling both conserves and uses energy, materials and products. If it conserves more than t uses, it may save material, money and environmental degradation. In the process, it may also reduce dependence on foreign imports, create employment and small-scale enterprises, and build up skills of industrialisation through repair and re-manufacturing. If a product cannot be re-used, then recycle it. The first step is to separate your waste at home into organic waste, plastic, glass, tin cans and paper - all of which can be recycled into suitable forms for re-use.

* Glass is 100% recyclable - make use of bottle banks.

* Tins are also recyclable; the Sabil Foundation (supported by Swaziland Brewers and Swaziland Bottling Company) is presently involved in can recycling activities which pay per bag of cans collected.

* A compost heap is a must! Kitchen and garden waste can be added to the compost heap, or used to feed pets or garden birds

* Used motor oil is recyclable, your local garage/filling station could be useful.

Together let us fight against waste !!!

Environmental Education Articles