Waste management is an issue faced by countries the world over no matter if they're developed or developing nations.
Despite our knowledge about the growing garbage problem there's no real way to stop it compounding unless we turn back the clock and lay off all synthetic products.
What we can do, however, is temper the problem using tried and trusted means.
The three 'R's'..
or is it the 4 'R's'? Reduce, reuse and recycle is a phrase that's been touted by environmentally conscious individuals for years.
But recently, one more action has been added to the adage: recover.
The use of salvaged material to build new products is gaining ground not only among trend-setting designers but the common man too.
Take for example old wooden planks discarded after years of use.
If sound, they're recovered or reclaimed from lumberyards and small dumpsites to be stripped, worked on and finished to produce fully functional and beautiful items.
They can be repurposed into the same products they were too.
It all depends on what the builder sees fit.
Repurposing products does more than keep waste out of landfills; it lowers production demand which is great for the environment as fewer raw materials are used.
Of course, this practice doesn't work with all materials as some products require virgin materials.
Still, it's a simple and sustainable way to temper consumption and help the environment side-by-side.
Composting Composting has to be the best way to manage organic waste.
There are just too many benefits not to seriously consider it.
It's been done for ages too so we know it's a tried and trusted technique.
Not only does proper composting ensure organic waste breaks down naturally and safely but it also serves to provide extra income.
If you're up for it, your carefully composted matter can be sold as fertilizer to individuals and nurseries that are increasingly turning to green manure.
Once it's fully decomposed, bag it, tag it and it's ready to be sold.
You can even start a community initiative and use part of the profits to fund better waste management practices.
Waste-to-energy incineration Incineration isn't exactly considered environmentally-friendly by some but there is a way that it can be.
A percentage of heating and even electricity needs can be met by burning biodegradable waste to produce steam which can be used to generate electricity and also using the heat generated to meet heating needs.
It's a huge initiative, no doubt, but waste-to-energy incineration has been successfully implemented in a few countries.
In fact, a particular country recently reported having too less trash to burn that it had to import rubbish from other countries! A perfect example of how innovative strategies can help with the trash problem.
There are always improvements to be made to existing waste management strategies.
With advances in technology, science and even thought, we're beginning to find out ways to sustainably manage waste.
The three ideas outlined here may not apply to all environments as many factors have to be considered but perhaps they can be altered and tweaked.
The more participation there is right from the household level to that of policymakers, the more we can see the waste problem being handled better.
Maybe then we can soon follow in the footsteps of those innovative countries that have already decided to take the bull by the horns and meet it with progressive thinking.