Introduction
Hello Webquest Warriors! Have you ever thought about where your waste is going after you dispose of it? Improper waste management, like throwing plastic waste into the ocean or collecting non-segregated waste from households and establishments, have a negative impact on our planet. It harms our soil, bodies of water, air, animals, fishes, birds, and we, humans.
Task
In this lesson, you will learn about the four types of waste to help you apply proper waste segregation:
- Biodegradable: Waste that easily decomposes in a short period, such as food scraps, egg shells, and garden waste. This waste is helpful in sustaining soil nutrients if it is composted and returned to the soil as fertilizer, rather than being burned.
- Recyclable: Materials that can be used for recycling, such as PET plastic bottles, hard plastics, paper, glass, and metals.
- Residual waste: There are two types under this category—residual potential for recycling and residual for disposal. Imagine a garbage bin full of waste; those wastes with market value like plastic bottles and aluminum cans are identified as waste potential for recycling. On the other hand, those without market value like diapers and soiled plastic sachets can be considered for disposal.
- Special or hazardous waste: This waste type is considered the most dangerous due to containing harmful or toxic chemicals that pose danger to the environment, ocean, and human health. Waste from health clinics and hospitals, such as syringes, thinner, paint, and aerosol spray, falls under this category. Electronic waste may also be included in this category.
You have to understand that waste categories may vary from place to place. For some countries, they have four types and for others may be less or more. Applying waste segregation will help us lessen waste going to landfills and oceans, and, of course, mitigate its negative impact.
Now, as a warrior fighting for our planet, it's time for you to apply proper waste segregation at home, in your school, or community. What will you do to effectively implement waste segregation and reduce the leakage of waste to the landfill and ocean? I've posted video resources below for you to have a deep understanding of the detrimental effects of improper waste management and the strategies we can use in battling these challenges.
Current Scenario & Effects of the poor waste management
Plastic pollution: is it really that bad?
The Hidden Dangers of Plastics Pollution for Marine Animals
Waste hierarchy
How This Town Produces No Trash
To expand your knowledge on this topic, you can also cite resources on the internet to discover more methods used in waste management.
Process
I hope this lesson has enlightened you on the current issues we face in waste management. Now, let's have a short activity for you to internalize what you've learned. You can make a poem, essay, poster, or jingle portraying waste management. You can choose any of the options provided. I know you can do it! After completing your output, you can share it on your social media accounts as a way to disseminate information and foster community awareness of waste management issues.
Evaluation
As a way to evaluate your output, we have to consider the criteria provided below:
| Criteria | Score (100%) |
| Clarity: Is the message clear and easily understandable? Can the audience grasp the purpose of the activity and the suggested actions? | 20% |
| Engagement: Does the passage effectively engage the reader or listener? Does it motivate them to participate in the activity and share their output on social media? | 20% |
| Encouragement: Does the passage provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to the audience? Does it instill confidence in their ability to complete the activity? | 20% |
| Call to Action: Is there a clear call to action at the end of the passage? Does it prompt the audience to take specific steps, such as choosing an option for the activity and sharing their output on social media? | 20% |
| Relevance: Is the passage relevant to the audience's interests and concerns? Does it address a timely and important issue, such as waste management and environmental sustainability? | 20% |
Conclusion
Proper solid waste management plays a significant role in our waste consumption. We have to apply waste segregation to lessen waste going to our landfills and strengthen the 4Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) activities for sustainability. Through this, we can protect our environment, our oceans, marine animals, and human health from the negative impact of improper waste management and plastic pollution. As Webquest Eco Warriors, let's advocate for proper waste management and secure a clean and bright future for the next generation.
Credits
Credits to the rightful owner of the videos used in this lesson:
1. Current Scenario & Effects of the poor waste management
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGjjjpK5UoI&t=2s
2. Plastic pollution: is it really that bad?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiXRTA0tYoI&t=1s
3. The Hidden Dangers of Plastics Pollution for Marine Animals
4. Waste hierarchy
5. How This Town Produces No Trash