3 Steps to dispose of garbage properly so as not to damage the environment

Cleanliness is one of the main keys to health. Unfortunately, there are still many people who neglect to keep themselves and their environment clean by littering. Even though without realizing it, there are various dangers lurking because of carelessly littering.

As a result of littering

Quoting from the Ministry of Home Affairs Research and Development Agency, public awareness of the importance of maintaining cleanliness is still low. Only 20 percent of the total Indonesian people care about the cleanliness of the surrounding environment and its impact on health. This means that from around 262 million Indonesians, only 52 million people really care and apply the right way of disposing of garbage.

In fact, apart from making the living environment look dirty and shabby, littering can also cause various health hazards.

1. Soil pollution

Source: Flickr

Piles of garbage scattered on the streets are no longer a new sight for Indonesians. But consciously or not, this bad habit can bring disaster to the health of the body. Take, for example, plastic drinking water bottles. When decomposed in the soil this plastic bottle will release DEHA, a chemical that is thought to cause contamination when it decomposes.

These substances are at risk of becoming carcinogens which can cause problems in reproductive organs, liver disorders, and so on. More than that, food waste also plays a role in polluting the environment and health. Because usually, food leftovers are in damp conditions so they easily rot and become an ideal place for germs to breed.

Especially if the garbage is approached by animals such as flies, cockroaches, and mice, which then enter the house and come into contact with food or cutlery. Or accidentally, your hands come into direct contact with the animal or its droppings.

Especially if you eat or drink without washing your hands first. Germs will also enter the body at the risk of causing various diseases such as salmonellosis, hepatitis A, intestinal worms, and so on.

2. Water pollution

Source: National Geographic

Water pollution is one of the emergency issues in Indonesia. The main masterminds of water pollution are mostly household waste, washing dishes and clothes, animal waste, pesticide and oil residues, and contamination of medical drugs.

Quoting Kompas, the Directorate General of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) reported that nearly 68 percent of river water quality in 33 provinces in Indonesia has been heavily polluted.

Long-term consumption of this toxic water shows a marked impact on human health. Some of the diseases associated with dumping waste in water are cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, skin infections, and lead poisoning.

Moreover, it is not only humans who suffer the consequences. If you are accustomed to throwing garbage in rivers, seas, rivers or other waters, this habit will also threaten the safety of all habitats and ecosystems in them.

Ironically, many aquatic animals end up eating community waste. In fact, aquatic animals such as fish, shellfish, squid, and others, are one of the human foods. Indirectly, humans also eat the garbage.

3. Air pollution

For practical reasons, many people prefer to burn household waste rather than throw it away. In fact, the smoke produced from burning garbage can not only be inhaled directly by you, but will also stick to surrounding objects, soil and plants.

You may be exposed to the chemicals that come from burning smoke when you eat fruit, vegetables, or touch objects that are exposed to the smoke. The chemicals that enter the body will cause coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, and eye infections.

To a more severe degree, this can increase the risk of lung disease, heart disease, nervous disorders, and cancer.

The right way to take out trash

Pay attention to the following steps to dispose of garbage so as not to pollute the environment:

1. Recognize the type of waste

Not all waste is the same, but is divided into several types such as organic, inorganic, and B3 waste. Organic waste which usually contains waste that is easily decomposed and decomposed, such as leaves and food scraps.

Meanwhile, inorganic waste consists of waste that is not easily broken down, such as plastic, rubber, mineral water bottles, and others. Finally, B3 waste (hazardous and toxic materials) which usually contains household cleaning fluids, detergents, rat poison, shoe polish, air freshener, oil, and others.

2. Separate waste according to type

Before disposing of garbage at home, you should classify the trash according to its type. Therefore, there is no harm in providing several bins to accommodate different types of trash. This method will make it easier for you to decide whether to recycle, or to dump it in a landfill.

3. Distribute the trash in a suitable place

After sorting them out, it is now easier for you to decide whether you want to recycle or dispose of the trash. For example, inorganic waste can be recycled, B3 waste is disposed of in a final or special landfill, while organic waste can be disposed of or recycled into compost.

Tips for sorting waste for recycling

If previously you were more accustomed to throwing garbage in the landfill, now it doesn't hurt to take it to a recycling bin to make it more beneficial for the environment. But beforehand, it's best to understand how to sort out the right waste first.

First, you should set aside items that are still suitable for recycling, such as aluminum groups (beverage cans, window frames, aluminum foil, etc.); paper group (newspaper, cardboard, and old cardboard); glass groups (bottles and drinking glasses); iron, copper, brass, and metal groups (car bodies, electrical equipment, bicycles, copper wire, water faucets, and brass machines).

Second, find a recycling place that fits the trash you have. If you have organic waste that you want to recycle, make sure it's still in good enough condition. Whether it's in the form of vegetable waste, fruit skins, leaves, or livestock manure. This waste will usually be processed into natural fertilizers which are useful for agriculture.