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It is inevitable to think that a human activity does not generate some type of waste, since as it is well known, matter is neither created nor destroyed but transformed; therefore, taking this phrase to everyday life we see how when we cook we generate food waste (peels, parts of vegetables, bones, etc.), likewise when we travel by car we are generating the transformation of fuel into gases such as CH4, CO2, among others.
However, due to the accelerated population growth, the need to implement integrated solid waste management strategies in both urban and rural areas is also increasing; however, thanks to the fact that many of the materials used daily have a very long decomposition period, it is possible to talk about circular processes, that is, introducing the waste again as raw material to produce other products. According to the United Nations, implementing recycling processes brings multiple benefits such as reducing the use of water in paper production, creating new jobs, among others (United Nations, n.d.).
In Colombia, the Superintendence of Public Services reports a considerable difference in the coverage of the sanitation service throughout the national territory, for example, of the 1,103 municipalities, 125 have a coverage of less than 15% in the garbage collection service (Superintendencia de Servicios Públicos Domiciliarios, 2021), leaving the correct disposal of approximately 1,800,000 tons of solid waste and increasing the risk that it will contaminate rivers, seas, soil and air.
The implementation of a color code facilitates the separation of waste at the source and increases its productive cycle, allowing the generation of raw materials that are usable and, at the same time, reflect the fulfillment of the country's goals in the integral management of solid waste.
Classification of Solid Waste
Now, if we focus on solid waste exclusively, we will find that they are not only kitchen waste as mentioned above but there are other types such as those derived from wrappings, packaging, small parts that are no longer useful for use in the manufacture of any equipment or tool, in this case, at the national level there is an easy to apply guide to identify materials and determine whether or not they are recyclable, below is the classification table extracted from the GTC - 24 (ICONTEC, 2009).
Waste | Clasification | Example |
Not dangerous | Paper | |
| | glass |
| | Plastic |
| Aprovechable | Metal |
| | textil |
| | wood |
| | leather |
| | Composite packaging |
| tissue paper (toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitary napkins, panty liners) | |
| | waxed paper |
| | caramic |
| No aprovechable | flat glass |
| | bones |
| | sweeping material |
| | cigarette butt |
| | soiled packaging materials |
| Orgánicos Biodegradables | residuos de comida |
| | cortes y podas de materiales vegetales |
| | hojarasca |
Residuos Peligrosos | | pilas, lámparas fluorescentes, aparatos eléctricos y electrónicos |
| | productos químicos varios como aerosoles inflamables, solventes, pinturas, plaguicidas, fertilizantes, aceites y lubricantes usados, baterías de automóviles y sus respectivos envases o empaques |
| | medicamentos vencidos |
| | residuos con riesgo biológico como: cadáveres de animales y elementos que ha entrado en contacto con bacterias, virus o microorganismos patógenos, como agujas, residuos humanos, limas, cuchillas, entre otros |
Solid waste management strategies
According to the classification established above, it is possible to establish three base strategies for the proper management of solid waste, each of these has different types of benefits, here are some examples.
Treatment:
The Ministry of Housing defines this activity as a complementary service to final disposal with which the generation of health, environmental or economic benefits is sought through the transformation of the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of solid waste.
One of the most common treatments is the transformation of single-use plastic through injection processes for the production of plastic wood commonly used in fencing or fences; on the other hand, organic solid waste is commonly transformed into compost and later into organic fertilizers.
References
ICONTEC. (2009, May 20). NORMA TÉCNICA GTC COLOMBIANA 24. Tienex. https://tienex.co/media/b096d37fcdee87a1f193271978cc2965.pdf
Organización de las Naciones Unidas. (n.d.). Datos y cifras. Naciones Unidas. https://www.un.org/es/actnow/facts-and-figures
Superintendencia de Servicios Públicos Domiciliarios. (2021, Diciembre). Informe nacional de coberturas de los servicios públicos de acueducto, alcantarillado y aseo - 2020.
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