Wastes Generation, Characterization, Management Strategies and Health and Environmental Impacts

Abstract

Waste generation refers to the discarded materials from residential and commercial activities that enforce economic and environmental costs for its management and disposal. The first step in waste management approaches is to reduce the waste generation at the manufacturing or consumer level. This means using fewer natural resources, avoiding waste generation, qualitative and quantitative reduction at source and reuse of products. The next step is to divert waste through recycling and composting. Diversion is performed by reusing and diverting the waste from landfills into new products. It provides cost-effective solutions for hazardous waste and hard-to-recycle waste from landfills. The next approach is energy and resource production from waste through incineration, gasification, de-polymerization, pyrolysis, etc. The produced energy is in the form of electricity, heat or steam. The least preferred method for waste management is disposal by landfill and incineration. They are usually the most cost-efficient way to dispose of the waste; however, they are associated with some environmental and health concerns. A good waste management strategy is fundamental for protecting human health, reducing the environmental impacts and enhancing business activities. The waste management approaches and strategies are reviewed in this Chapter. In addition, the Canadian government waste strategy and regulations are reviewed.