Throwing waste in the dustbin is a good habit. However, this is not the stage where the process of waste management ends or this is not the only role that has to be played by consumers. Since Swacch Bharat came into action, everyone got to know about effective kitchen waste management but has anyone ever given a thought to what contributions they are doing to keep the environment clean? Or what will happen to the garbage that is thrown every day? Or how it will be treated? Or where it will be dumped? If we realize, most of us rarely bother about it. Therefore, there is an urgent need for kitchen waste management in India.

Today solid waste management is the biggest challenge faced by urban areas and metropolitan cities across the world. There are many waste management companies in Delhi that help in reducing pollution from the environment by processing waste through innovative machines like green waste reprocessors.

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Why is Kitchen Waste Management Important?

Segregation is the most important step in waste management and reducing waste. Diverse waste materials require different ways of treatment as mixed waste cannot be treated. Waste is segregated as biodegradable wet waste and inorganic dry waste. It is very much important to segregate waste for kitchen waste management and every individual should be made to learn its importance because:

• A kitchen with proper waste segregation and waste management does not attract diseases and pests. The waste segregation system should have a separate place for wet waste which should be well-ventilated and away from household pests. This will lead to a much cleaner place.
•  Segregation leads to a collection process that is more convenient and efficient for collecting companies.
• Proper segregation is required for the functioning of waste incineration.

Separating Kitchen Waste

 It is important to dispose of waste appropriately and responsibly Wastes can be divided into categories:

1. Biodegradable waste includes organic waste, e.g. kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, flowers, garden
2. Non- biodegradable waste includes

• Recyclable waste- plastics, paper, glass, metal, etc
• Toxic waste: Old medicines, paints, chemicals, bulbs, spray cans, fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish.
• Soiled: Hospital waste such as cloth soiled with blood and other body fluids.
• E-waste: Floppy disks, batteries, CD’s, etc.,

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There are several things to keep in mind while managing kitchen waste:

• Separate waste- Segregate the dustbins for dry and wet waste.
• Maintain two bags for dry waste collection- paper, plastic, and other items that are recyclable, for the rest of the household waste.
• Keep plastic from the kitchen clean and dry and drop it into the dry waste bin.
• Keep glass /plastic containers rinsed of food matter
• Store and send dry waste out of the home, once a week.
• Use cloth bags instead of plastic.
• Donate items when possible.
• Dispose of biodegradable waste with the local garbage trucks or begin a composting pit in the garden
• Toxic waste if any must be isolated and disposed of in a responsible manner depending on the kind of toxic waste.
• Soiled waste must be sent to an incinerator.
• Keep a paper bag for throwing the sanitary waste.

 There are many efficient ways to solve the waste problem for cities while preserving the well-being of the environment and sanitation of every worker. Some of the ventures like Clean India Ventures are helping to make the environment better with automatic mechanized organic waste converters designed to reduce and recycle organic waste and convert it into organic compost and liquid fuel.