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In the wake of the final episode of the ABC’s War on Waste, in which a dismayed Craig Reucassel canvasses Australia’s rubbish-related sins, the idea of “zero waste” is pretty hot right now.

But often when we hear of zero waste movements, or civic and corporate zero waste commitments, they are actually “zero waste to landfill” campaigns. They’re not aiming for zero waste to be produced, just for all waste to be managed somehow – usually, relying heavily on recycling.

In fact most of us have probably said, or at least heard, the statement: “It’s not waste – it gets recycled!” or for food, “it goes to compost!”

Certainly it’s old news to the waste recovery industry that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. High-quality, well-sorted waste isn’t just usable, it’s desirable – either for recycling or conversion into fuel.

The Australian recycling industry is doing a good job of repurposing most of our collected recyclable material. This contributes to developing circular economy, in which recycled waste displaces virgin material in production.

But, like many words, there’s a crucial difference between the common and technical definition of waste. Conversationally, “waste” is understood as something unwanted or unusable, that has no value. In technical terms, it’s a classification of a resource or product at a certain point in its value chain.

It might seem like a pedantic distinction. But language shapes our understanding and behaviour, and our conception of what is possible and important.

Albert Shamess, Vancouver’s director of waste management said recently, “we can’t recycle our way to zero waste”. It goes to the heart of the question: is waste still waste if it gets recycled?

The standard waste hierarchy generally demarcates between waste avoidance and waste management, with recycling squarely in the waste management zone. In this sense, recycling is something we do to waste, not a way to avoid it.

These days, recycling is standard practice in most Australian households and in general is fairly simple. It’s not that hard to place an item in a recycling bin instead of the rubbish when they’re side by side in the kitchen (or in an office, or public space).

But recycling sits fairly low down the waste hierarchy. When we say “it’s not waste if it gets recycled”, it makes it easier to avoid more important actions with greater potential impact.

Similarly, when zero waste commitments are defined as “not going to landfill”, it’s too easy for companies or cities to set a diversion target and focus on recycling and recovery, rather than setting targets for the more complicated task of waste minimisation.

But while recycling (and recovery) is a great last line of defence, it’s nowhere near as effective as avoiding the waste in the first place.

Why is recycling low on the waste hierarchy?

The waste hierarchy prioritises actions based on how much they benefit the environment. Recycling is certainly magnitudes better than landfill, because it replaces virgin materials in the manufacturing process. For example, recycling aluminium is 95% more efficient than using virgin aluminium, recycling plastic is 85% more efficient, paper 50%, and glass 40%.

But the recycling process still consumes energy (and other resources), and costs money. And for many materials, particularly plastic and to some extent paper, recycling is also a downgrading process.

These materials can only be recycled a certain number of times before they degrade beyond all use, and generally then end up in landfill. At this point, they can’t be recovered for waste to energy.

On the other hand, if we could reduce the amount of material that needs to be recycled, or better yet, the amount that needs to be produced in the first place, these costs would disappear altogether. Better consumer choices can play a role, but more significant are improved resource management and smarter product design.

In our transition to a circular economy, the way we characterise things may shift to emphasise the that objects have value beyond the end of their intended life. But it’s essential we still call a spade a spade.

Regardless of whether something is “waste” if it gets recycled, recycling (and recovery) needs to be seen as what is is – a last line of defence. Minimising waste is more important than managing it, and we need to keep our focus there.

This raw untreated sewage can carry a variety of dangerous bacteria. These bacteria can cause bowel problems and other diseases such as Hepatitis, Cholera, Salmonella and other severe illnesses. There are some ways to minimize the possibility and severity of these diseases.

After sewage backup occurs there are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family from contamination. First and foremost, immediately call a certified sewage contamination restorer to begin proper cleaning and disinfection procedures to contain the bacteria. Never try to clean it yourself or touch the sewage with bare hands, always wear gloves and boots. This keeps any cuts or sores from being the avenue for the bacteria to enter your system. Keep children and pets away from the contaminated area until proper restorative cleaning is completed. Through out anything that has had any contact with the contamination, especially food items. Keep any contaminated items away from the mouth, nose or eyes, as these are easy points of entry for the bacteria. Washing hands frequently with an antibacterial soap for added personal protection. If you detect any difference in how you are feeling after the sewage backup, contact your doctor immediately for medical attention.

There can be various causes for sewage to backup into your home. Many of these problems you can personally prevent by following a few simple steps. This is true whether you have a septic system or a city sanitary system. One problem can be caused by garbage disposals installed under your sink to minimize the amount of household garbage you have to put in your garbage can. In fact, it is better to put garbage in the cans rather than a garbage disposal. A garbage disposal system cannot be used if you have a septic system unless you want sewage in your home. Even though the food products you put in the disposal are biodegradable, they still leave greases and oils behind that can eventually restrict your waste lines setting the scene for a sewer backup. Putting items in toilets are also big troublemakers. Never put disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, items that belong in your garbage instead of your septic system down your toilet. That too is a roadway to problems. A severe clog and backup will be imminent.

There are other common causes for your sewer or septic to backup. These can happen to either a septic system or city sewer system. Both can be a very costly problem.

The first problem can be a structural defect or failure. These can happen slowly over time causing major damage to your system leading to a major overflow into your home requiring major reconstruction of your system. These defects are caused by slow deterioration of your pipes and access cleanout ports. This type of damage could be from a collapsed pipe, sag in the line, cracks or holes, separated joints or misaligned pipe. If the sewage flow can’t go out into the tank or city line, it will come into your house with very unpleasant results.

The second major cause of sewage backflow is tree roots that grow into your sewage discharge lines causing severe clogs. Tree roots can enter the pipe at joints and travel deep into your system causing devastating clogs, again with unpleasant results. As the roots grow the damage becomes more severe and replacement of the pipe is the only repair.

The third problem can occur to either type of system. In the event of heavy rains, like we all just encountered, the water table can get so high that your septic system has nowhere to go but into the lowest level of your house. If you have sanitary sewers you can have a similar problem. These flooding rains overwhelm the city sewer systems causing them to flood and force the backflow of sewage into your home, sometimes under heavy pressure making the damage worse.

If you have a city sanitary sewer system there is one sure way to prevent the high-pressure flooded backflow of sewage into your home. There is a valve called a backflow preventer that is a critical way to protect your home from sewage backflow.

What is a sewage backflow preventer you ask? Simply put, it is a valve that lets your wastewater out of your house into the city sanitary system, but shuts if the pressure tries to force the sewage back into your home due to some type of malfunction somewhere down the line. It is relatively inexpensive to install and should be a required part of every city system. In some towns in this country, it is now mandated that one of these backflow preventer valves be on every city line attached to your home. This valve is for city sanitary sewers only and will not work on a septic system since there is no backpressure.

If you are unfortunate enough to have a sewage backup, it is best not to try to clean it yourself. A certified water damage black water removal specialist should be called to restore your home to a healthy condition and not create undo contamination to other areas of your house. This creates a major health risk to your family and can make your problem much worse instead of better.

Check with your insurance company. Some homeowner policies cover such a loss that can save you thousands of dollars and secure the safety for your family. A sewer backup is restored much differently that a clean water loss. The certified professional cleaners have the training and experience to properly care for the welfare of your home and family.

My name is Bruce Jackson, author of this article. I have been in the cleaning industry for over 35 years and am owner / operator of my company, Jolly Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners, Inc. of Jackson, New Jersey. We clean all types of carpet, fabrics and hard surfaces. Please visit our website for a wealth of information or to get any of your fabric, carpet or grout care questions answered or call us at 732-367-3145 for your FREE ESTIMATE TODAY!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bruce_D_Jackson/922923

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