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Period Required for Degradation of Waste

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Waste Management

Waste management is not a modern concept. Even in ancient times, societies recognised its importance. In 320 BCE, the Greek city of Athens enacted a law making it illegal to throw garbage in open areas. This shows that organised waste management has been a priority for centuries to maintain cleanliness and prevent environmental harm.

Period required for degradation of waste:

Waste Material Period of Natural Degradation
Banana peelings 3–4 weeks
Cloth bags 1 month
Rags 5 months
Woollen socks 1 year
Wood 10–15 years
Leather shoes 40-50 years
Tin cans 50-100 years
Aluminium cans 200-250 years
Certain plastic bags 10 lakh years
Thermocol/styrofoam cup Infinite duration

Eco-Friendly Waste Management at Home:

  1. Storing Waste: Use separate bins or containers to store waste properly at home, as shown in Figure A.
  2. Using Specific Dustbins: Adopt the practice of using specific dustbins for different types of waste (as shown in Figure B). This method ensures that waste can be handled effectively for composting, recycling, or safe disposal.

Methods of storing solid waste

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