Chapter 1
Wastes Generation, Characterization,
Management Strategies and Health
and Environmental Impacts
Abstract Waste generation refers to the discarded materials from residential and
commercial activities that enforce economic and environmental costs for its management and disposal. The first step in waste management approaches is to reduce the
waste generation at the manufacturing or consumer level. This means using fewer
natural resources, avoiding waste generation, qualitative and quantitative reduction
at source and reuse of products. The next step is to divert waste through recycling and
composting. Diversion is performed by reusing and diverting the waste from landfills
into new products. It provides cost-effective solutions for hazardous waste and hardto-recycle waste from landfills. The next approach is energy and resource production
from waste through incineration, gasification, de-polymerization, pyrolysis, etc. The
produced energy is in the form of electricity, heat or steam. The least preferred method
for waste management is disposal by landfill and incineration. They are usually the
most cost-efficient way to dispose of the waste; however, they are associated with
some environmental and health concerns. A good waste management strategy is
fundamental for protecting human health, reducing the environmental impacts and
enhancing business activities. The waste management approaches and strategies are
reviewed in this Chapter. In addition, the Canadian government waste strategy and
regulations are reviewed.
Keywords Waste generation · Characterization · Hazardous waste ·
Non-hazardous waste · Waste management strategies · Environmental impacts ·
Health impacts
1.1 Wastes Generation
Waste is referred to any unwanted or unusable material that is disposed after use. It
includes all types of waste or side-products generated from residential, institution
and commercial establishments. Waste is usually generated in a solid, liquid, or
gaseous state as a result of human activities such as living, eating and production
and consumption of materials. It is a function of what we purchase and consume in
our daily lives.
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
L. Nazari et al., Advanced and Emerging Technologies for Resource Recovery
from Wastes, Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9267-6_1
1
Wastes Generation, Characterization,
Management Strategies and Health
and Environmental Impacts
Abstract Waste generation refers to the discarded materials from residential and
commercial activities that enforce economic and environmental costs for its management and disposal. The first step in waste management approaches is to reduce the
waste generation at the manufacturing or consumer level. This means using fewer
natural resources, avoiding waste generation, qualitative and quantitative reduction
at source and reuse of products. The next step is to divert waste through recycling and
composting. Diversion is performed by reusing and diverting the waste from landfills
into new products. It provides cost-effective solutions for hazardous waste and hardto-recycle waste from landfills. The next approach is energy and resource production
from waste through incineration, gasification, de-polymerization, pyrolysis, etc. The
produced energy is in the form of electricity, heat or steam. The least preferred method
for waste management is disposal by landfill and incineration. They are usually the
most cost-efficient way to dispose of the waste; however, they are associated with
some environmental and health concerns. A good waste management strategy is
fundamental for protecting human health, reducing the environmental impacts and
enhancing business activities. The waste management approaches and strategies are
reviewed in this Chapter. In addition, the Canadian government waste strategy and
regulations are reviewed.
Keywords Waste generation · Characterization · Hazardous waste ·
Non-hazardous waste · Waste management strategies · Environmental impacts ·
Health impacts
1.1 Wastes Generation
Waste is referred to any unwanted or unusable material that is disposed after use. It
includes all types of waste or side-products generated from residential, institution
and commercial establishments. Waste is usually generated in a solid, liquid, or
gaseous state as a result of human activities such as living, eating and production
and consumption of materials. It is a function of what we purchase and consume in
our daily lives.
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
L. Nazari et al., Advanced and Emerging Technologies for Resource Recovery
from Wastes, Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9267-6_1
1