NCERT Book Class 8 EVS Where should the waste go

6. Where should the waste go?

Background

Different materials decompose, or rot, at different speeds under different conditions. There are materials which do not decompose easily and take a long time. Waste materials are hazardous to the environment if not properly disposed off.

Methodology

1. Start from your own home; try to find out the various types of waste that are generated. Categorise them into groups of materials that decompose easily and that do not decompose easily.

2. Find out whether in your house, or houses in your neighbourhood, these household wastes are kept separately before disposal or kept together and disposed off.

3. Make a list of materials present in the waste collected from your house. Dump this waste in a pit near your house or in a big pot/ bucket, sprinkle soil over it and cover it completely.

4. Cover it properly with a plastic sheet/sack to prevent the foul smell from escaping and breeding of flies, etc.

5. Examine the waste dump every ten days and see the things which you can still recognise. Note your observations. If the dump has dried,sprinkle water to make it wet and cover it again as before 6. Repeat the above step for five more times.

7. After 60 days, list the materials that you can still recognise.

Conclusion

Make a report of your study giving examples of materials that decompose easily, at a slower pace and those which do not decompose at all. Also suggest suitable ways for disposal of different types of waste.

Follow-up

Find out which materials can be recycled and used again.

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 8 EVS Where should the waste go