Waste Management Waste management refers to a set of processes and activities for handling waste materials, including the collection, transportation and disposal of waste. It also encompasses strategies to prevent or reduce waste at the source, the recycling and treatment as well as the compliance to health & safety and environmental regulations. Waste is defined as unwanted material left over from a production process, or a residue which has no marketable value. Waste is often classified on the basis of their toxicity, and includes municipal solid waste, industrial waste, wastewater, biomedical waste and special hazardous waste such as chemical, electronic waste and radioactive material among others. Waste Management is a huge issue, both in the industrialized and developing world, because of the high volume of waste generated everyday, especially in large populated urban cities. Waste management strategies From an environmental perspective, traditional systems of waste management such as landfills or incineration have been very unpopular since the nineties as they became associated with heavy pollution and environmental degradation. Many countries have now legislation that ban or regulate those traditional waste management systems. The new approach is a multi-layer approach which consists of: (i) reducing waste produced to a minimum amount; (ii) recycling by separating waste into different bins for future reuse; (iii) treatment of waste materials in order to minimize its' health and environmental effects; and (iv) Disposal of the residual waste that cannot be recycled after treatment. There are two common methods of disposing waste: landfills and incineration. Incineration may be a preferred way of disposal, nevertheless less efficient processes still release a lot of dioxin and other toxins in the atmosphere. Proper WM strategies may also include a socioeconomic dimension through composting or energy production using combustion, gasification or methanization (anaerobic digestion) technologies. Role of Governments in Waste Management In general, central and local governments are the responsible authorities for managing or overseeing the management of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. In Canada, for instance: (i) municipal governments are responsible for establishing collection, recycling, and disposal of waste within their jurisdictions; (ii) provincial and territorial governments establish measures and criteria for licensing hazardous-waste generators, carriers, and treatment facilities, in addition to controlling movements of wastes within their jurisdictions; (iii) the Federal Government regulates transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials, in addition to negotiating international agreements. To ensure compliance with tighter regulations, companies more and more view waste management as an integral part of their comprehensive business strategy. Companies who desire to implement an Environmental Management Sytem and seek ISO14001 accreditation are required to improve their environmental performance and have a sustainable waste management strategy. A few organizations have decided to adopt the "zero waste concept" but measuring success and progress towards such an ambitious goal is quite challenging. International and national guidelines exist for developing and implementing a recycling/ waste minimization program.  | Related Links
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/waste/docs/SolidWasteStrategyFinalReport1995.pdf |
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Caring For the Environment
 Factus environmental provides advisory, consulting, information resource and educational services in the areas of environmental assessment and sustainable energy planning. Factus is dedicated to protecting the environment through providing sustainable solutions for the energy and mining operations.
Pledging For Sustainability Economic
development generally requires
more energy to fuel production. However irresponsible and irrational energy use is also associated
with adverse environmental and socioeconomic effects. While energy security is paramount, we all must pledge to promote and develop sustainable energy technologies.
Saving Our Planet One of the most pressing challenges communities across the globe are facing right now and will continue to face throughout the 21st century if nothing is done relate to environmental pollution, locally and globally. Our dedication and advocacy to serve in the best
interest of communities and save the planet are at the center of our actions. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- IN THE NEWS Earth's Climate is Warming (NASA) Temperature data from four international science institutions. All show rapid warming in the past few decades and that the last decade has been the warmest on record. Data sources: NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Met Office Hadley Centre/Climatic Research Unit and the Japanese Meteorological Agency |
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