Waste Management (Junior Cert Home Economics): Revision Notes

Waste Management

Waste disposal is a major challenge in today's world.

Types of Waste:

Organic/Biodegradable:

• Breaks down naturally (e.g., food scraps, paper).

Inorganic/Non-Biodegradable:

• Does not break down easily (e.g., plastics, metals).

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The EU Waste Hierarchy

A guide for the most sustainable ways to deal with waste:

1. Prevention:

• Buy only what you need.
• Compost organic waste instead of binning it.

2. Minimisation:

• Repair and reuse items instead of discarding them.

3. Reuse/Repurpose:

• Use waste creatively (e.g., upcycling old furniture).

4. Recycle:

• Reprocess items like paper and glass into new products.

5. Energy Recovery:

• Burn waste to produce energy.

6. Disposal:

• Landfills or incineration (least sustainable).

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Sustainable Waste Disposal

Proper waste separation is essential to reduce landfill waste.

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Composting

• Composting breaks down organic matter (e.g., vegetable peelings, grass clippings) into nutrient-rich compost for plants.
• Use only plant-based materials for effective composting.