India Today Is Facing the Problem of Overuse of Resources, Contamination of Water and Soil, And Lack of Methods of Processing the Waste. The Time Has Come for The World to Say Goodbye to; Steps Must Be Undertaken to Develop Environment-Friendly Substitutes, Effective Plastic Waste Collection, And Methods of Its Disposal. Indore Treated 15 Lakhs Metric Tonnes of Waste in Just 3 Years, Through Biomining and Bioremediation Techniques. Bioremediation Involves Introducing Microbes into A Landfill to Naturally & It Down and Biomining Involves Using Trommel Machines to Sift Through the Waste to Separate The &; And The Waste Component. The City Managed to Chip Away 15 Lakhs Metric Tonnes of Waste at A Cost of Around < 10 Crores. A Similar Experiment Was Successfully Carried Out in Ahmedabad Also. (a) State Two Methods of Effective Plastic Waste Collection in Your School. (b) Name Any Two Uses of; Single-Use Plastic in Daily Life. (c) If We Discontinue the Use of Plastic, How Can an Environment-Friendly Substitute Be Provided? (d) Do You Think Microbes Will Work Similarly in Landfill Sites as They Work in The Laboratory? Justify Your Answer


Introduction

Plastic waste has become a significant problem worldwide, and it is essential to find ways to reduce it. Schools are a good place to start when it comes to managing plastic waste. This article will discuss two effective methods of plastic waste collection in schools, two uses of single-use plastic in daily life, and how we can provide an environment-friendly substitute for plastic. Lastly, we will analyse if microbes work similarly in landfill sites as they work in the laboratory.

Two Methods of Effective Plastic Waste Collection in Your School

Plastic waste management is essential to ensure that the environment remains clean and free from pollution. There are many methods of collecting plastic waste, but not all of them are effective. In schools, two effective methods of collecting plastic waste are as follows

Setting Up a Plastic Waste Segregation System

Setting up a plastic waste segregation system is an effective method of managing plastic waste in schools. The system involves setting up separate bins for different types of plastic waste, such as bottles, bags, and wrappers. Once the waste is segregated, it can be sent for recycling or disposal. This method helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills and reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Conducting Plastic Waste Collection Drives

Conducting plastic waste collection drives is another effective method of managing plastic waste in schools. This method involves organizing a campaign or event in which students and teachers collect plastic waste from the school premises and the surrounding areas. The collected waste can then be sent for recycling or disposal. This method not only helps to manage plastic waste but also raises awareness among students and teachers about the importance of plastic waste management.

Two Uses of Single-Use Plastic in Daily Life

Single-use plastic refers to plastic items that are used once and then disposed of, such as straws, coffee cups, and cutlery. There are many uses of single-use plastic in daily life, but two common uses are as follows:

Packaging

Single-use plastic is commonly used for packaging purposes, such as for wrapping food items, drinks, and other consumer products. This type of plastic is lightweight, durable, and cost-effective, making it an ideal choice for manufacturers.

Medical Equipment

Single-use plastic is also commonly used in the medical industry for items such as syringes, IV bags, and catheters. These items are used once and then disposed of to prevent the spread of infections and diseases.

If We Discontinue the Use of Plastic, How Can an Environment-Friendly Substitute Be Provided?

Plastic is a versatile material that has many benefits, but it also has many drawbacks, such as its impact on the environment. If we discontinue the use of plastic, we need to find an environment-friendly substitute that can provide similar benefits. One alternative to plastic is biodegradable materials. Biodegradable materials are made from natural sources and can be broken down by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, over time. Some examples of biodegradable materials include:

Paper

Paper is a commonly used biodegradable material that can be used for packaging, bags, and other consumer products.

Plant-based materials

Plant-based materials, such as corn-starch, are also biodegradable and can be used for packaging and other consumer products.

Another alternative to plastic is reusable materials. Reusable materials, such as glass, metal, and cloth, can be used multiple times and can be recycled or repurposed after use. These materials are more durable than single-use plastic and can help to reduce waste.

Do You Think Microbes Will Work Similarly in Landfill Sites as They Work in The Laboratory? Justify Your Answer.

Microbes play a crucial role in the breakdown of organic matter in landfills. However, the conditions in landfills are very different from those in the laboratory.

In the laboratory, microbes are grown under controlled conditions, and their environment is optimized for their growth and activity. However, in landfills, the conditions are much harsher, and the microbial activity is much slower.

In landfills, the waste is buried under layers of soil, which creates an anaerobic environment, meaning that there is very little oxygen available. This condition is not ideal for microbial activity, and as a result, the decomposition process is slower. The lack of oxygen also means that different types of microbes will thrive in landfills than those in the laboratory. The anaerobic conditions in landfills favor the growth of methane-producing bacteria, which are not present in the laboratory.

Moreover, the types of waste present in landfills are different from those in the laboratory. Landfills contain a mixture of organic and inorganic waste, including plastics, metals, and other non-biodegradable materials. These materials do not break down easily, and the microbial activity is much slower compared to organic waste.

In conclusion, while microbes are an important part of the decomposition process in landfills, their activity is much slower and different from that in the laboratory. The conditions in landfills are harsh, and different types of microbes will thrive there compared to those in the laboratory. Therefore, it is important to find alternative solutions to managing waste that do not rely solely on microbial activity.

Updated on: 04-May-2023

59 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements