Summary

In this study session, you have learned that:

1. In rural communities, the type of waste produced is mainly agricultural and household waste, which is organic and compostable in nature.
2. There are several different ways of classifying waste, including putrescible or non-putrescible, hazardous or non-hazardous, and combustible or non-combustible.
3. Hazardous chemicals such as obsolete pesticides are concerns in rural communities.
4. The functional elements of solid waste management are onsite storage, processing and handling, collection, transfer and transport, resource recovery, and final disposal.
5. Landfill as a means of disposal of solid waste is used in urban situations but may not apply in rural settings. Controlled tipping/burial and composting methods are preferred.
6. Disposal of plastic bag wastes is a cause of concern and needs special attention to be managed sustainably.
7. Care should be given in selection of disposal sites at residential or communal level.
8. Surveying and community involvement is needed in order to prepare viable action plans to improve solid waste management practices.