Back to: Basic Science Primary 5
WASTE DISPOSAL II
INTRODUCTION: In this lesson, we want to focus on and learn the culture of proper waste disposal with a view of keeping our environment clean and ensuring a healthy and clean environment. In the last lesson, we learnt about types of waste. Each type of waste has a proper and effective way to dispose of it.
Waste Disposal: Waste disposal is the collection, processing, and recycling or deposition of the waste materials of human society. Waste disposal includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.
Waste poses a threat to public health and the environment if it is not stored, collected, and disposed of properly.
Waste disposal is a form of environmental sanitation i.e it is the removal of waste🗑 (either sewage or refuse) from the environment in order to keep it safe.
Sewage Disposal
Sewage can be properly disposed in the following ways
- Pit latrine
- Water closet system
The two methods above can be connected to a CESSPOOL or a SEPTIC TANK.
A Cesspool is a covered underground container for the temporary collection of sewage.
A Septic tank is an underground tank where sewage is collected and decomposed by bacteria before being drained.
Refuse Disposal
In the refuse disposal, the dustbin is first used to collect refuse from homes, offices, schools, churches and other public places before they are finally disposed of in the following ways:
- Incinerators – a method of burning waste (mainly refuse) into ashes
- Composting – a method of turning the waste to manure for the soil by allowing it to decompose.
- Land-filling – a method whereby solid waste is buried between layers of earth.
Effects of Improper Waste Disposal.
Waste should be properly disposed off to maintain a healthy environment. The following are some of the effects of improper waste disposal.
- improper waste disposal pollutes the environment
- It helps the spread of disease causing agents like parasites and germs
- When gaseous waste is released, they cause respiratory illnesses when inhaled.
- The lives of plant and animals in the water are endangered when sewage is released into the water.
- Improper waste disposal renders the land, air and water I fit for use
- When refuse waste are dumped carelessly, they can block drainage and cause flooding.
EVALUATION
- Mention three ways to dispose of refuse waste
- State three effects of improper disposal of waste.