GSEB Class 6 Science Solutions Chapter 16 Garbage In, Garbage Out

Question 1.
(a) Which kind of garbage is not converted into compost by the redworms?
(b) Have you seen any other organism besides redworms, in your pit? If yes, try to find out their names. Draw pictures of these.
Answer:
(a) Garbage items like broken glass, aluminum wrappers, plastic objects, and polythene bags, which are not biodegradable, cannot be changed into compost by redworms.
(b) Yes, we have seen other organisms besides redworms in our pit. Saprophytic organisms such as molds (which appear as white, black, or greyish cottony patches) and bacteria (visible only under a microscope) are present. These organisms significantly help in breaking down biodegradable substances within the pit, making them an important part of the decomposition process.
In simple words: Redworms cannot turn things like glass, plastic, or metal into compost. Yes, other tiny organisms like molds and bacteria are also found in the pit, and they help break down waste.

Exam Tip: Remember to differentiate between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste when discussing composting. Non-biodegradable items will not break down naturally.

Question 2. Discuss:
(a) Is garbage disposal the responsibility only of the government?
(b) Is it possible to reduce the problems relating to disposal of garbage?
Answer:
(a) No, garbage disposal is not solely the government's responsibility. Along with the government and local municipal corporations, every citizen has a duty to assist in garbage disposal. A clean environment is necessary to maintain our health and to prevent the spread of diseases. We should put our garbage in proper places, such as dustbins, so that Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers) can easily collect the waste.
(b) Yes, it is certainly possible to lessen the problems connected to garbage disposal if we follow certain methods:
• Garbage should be thrown in designated areas and not on streets, roads, or in parks.
• The part of the garbage that can be reused should be separated from items that cannot be used.
• The non-useful materials should be disposed of in landfill sites.
Additionally, following the rule of Three R's is very helpful:
A. Reduce: Use things in the smallest amount needed to meet your requirements.
B. Recycle: Items such as plastic, paper, glass, and metals can be separated from the garbage and reprocessed to create new products instead of being dumped with other waste.
C. Reuse: This means using things repeatedly. For instance, plastic bottles that once held jam or pickles can be used again to store different items in the kitchen.
In simple words: (a) Everyone is responsible for garbage disposal, not just the government, to keep us healthy and prevent sickness. (b) Yes, we can reduce garbage problems by throwing waste in correct places, separating reusable items, sending non-useful items to landfills, and following the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" rule.

Exam Tip: When discussing responsibilities, always highlight both individual and governmental roles. For solutions, the '3 Rs' (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) are key points to mention.

Question 3.
(a) What do you do with the left over food at home?
(b) If you and your friends are given the choice of eating in a plastic plate or a banana leaf platter at a party, which one would you prefer and why?
Answer:
(a) Leftover food at home, along with other kitchen waste like vegetable peels and paper, is put into a compost pit. This converts them into manure, which is then used to help plants grow.
(b) We would choose a banana leaf platter because it can be easily turned into manure through composting. While plastic plates can be recycled, this process often releases harmful gases that pollute the environment. Plastic items cannot be made into manure through composting.
In simple words: (a) Leftover food and kitchen waste go into a compost pit to become plant food. (b) We prefer banana leaf plates over plastic ones because they can be composted easily and don't cause pollution like plastic.

Exam Tip: Focus on the environmental benefits of composting and choosing natural materials over synthetic ones. Biodegradability is a key term here.

Question 4.
(a) Collect pieces of different kinds of paper. Find out which of these can be recycled.
(b) With the help of a lens look at the pieces of paper you collected for the above question. Do you see any difference in the material of recycled paper and a new sheet of paper?
Answer:
(a) Pieces of paper obtained from newspapers, notebooks, and magazines can be recycled. However, plastic-coated and shiny papers cannot be recycled easily.
(b) When looking through a lens, the surface of recycled paper appears rough, while the surface of a new sheet of paper feels smooth.
In simple words: (a) Newspaper and notebook paper can be recycled, but shiny or plastic-coated paper cannot. (b) Recycled paper feels rough, but new paper feels smooth.

Exam Tip: Distinguish between types of paper that can and cannot be recycled. Physical properties like texture can often indicate whether a material is recycled.

Question 5.
(a) Collect different kinds of packaging material. What was the purpose for which each one was used? Discuss in groups.
(b) Give an example in which packaging could have been reduced.
(c) Write a story on how packaging increases the amount of garbage.
Answer:
(a) Packaging materials such as thermocol, foam sheets, paper cuttings, cardboard, and jute are used to protect products during transport and storage. Cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and tin containers are also used to make it easier to move packaged goods from one place to another.
(b) Packaging of items like toys, clothes, shoes, and chocolates could be reduced. For example, many gifts are wrapped in shiny paper or plastic-coated paper, which is then immediately discarded.
(c) We use packaging to keep articles safe and also to make packages look nice. For example, to give a gift on a birthday, the present is often packed and wrapped in shiny paper or plastic-coated paper. After use, this packaging material is simply thrown in the dustbin. Similarly, plastic bags, cans, aluminum foils, and other packaging materials are used and then thrown out after use. Many common items like ghee, refined oil, soaps, detergents, and most eatable goods are sold in small packets. All these packaging methods contribute significantly to the total amount of garbage.
In simple words: (a) Packaging materials like thermocol and cardboard are used to keep things safe and help move them. (b) We could reduce packaging for toys, clothes, and chocolates. (c) We use a lot of packaging to protect items and make them look good, but all this wrapping, bags, and small packets quickly add to the amount of garbage we throw away.

Exam Tip: When discussing packaging, explain both its utility (protection, presentation) and its drawbacks (waste generation). Provide concrete examples for reducing packaging.

Question 6. Do you think it is better to use compost instead of chemical fertilisers? Why?
Answer:
Yes, it is better to use compost instead of chemical fertilizers because:
(i) Compost is environmentally friendly and does not cause harm. It helps maintain the soil's texture and fertility. Chemical fertilizers, however, disrupt the soil's natural makeup and can negatively affect human health.
(ii) Composting helps in reusing materials and also in disposing of garbage properly. Leaching (washing away) of chemical fertilizers causes water pollution and can lead to the death of aquatic organisms.
(iii) Producing compost is simple, inexpensive, and safe, whereas making chemical fertilizers is costly and involves many problems.
In simple words: Yes, compost is better than chemical fertilizers. Compost is good for the environment, keeps soil healthy, and is cheap to make. Chemical fertilizers harm the soil, pollute water, and are expensive to produce.

Exam Tip: When comparing compost and chemical fertilizers, emphasize the ecological advantages of compost and the environmental downsides of chemicals (pollution, soil degradation, cost).