What is Waste Diversion?

Waste diversion is the process of diverting wastestechnologies or by human hands. Reusing waste
from the landfill. Some wastes undergo severalmaterial is to use it either for the same purpose or
processes to prevent them from going to the landfill.for another without altering its physical and chemical
The amount of wastes diverted from the landfill isproperties. Waste materials that can be reused are
typically measured by weight.plastic containers, empty bottles, plastic bags, and tin
Here are the most popular ways to divert wastes.and aluminium cans.
1. Waste Reduction at source.3. Composting biodegradable wastes.
It is the avoidance of using materials that areThe conversion of waste materials into soil additives
disposable, not reusable or recyclable. These materialsis called composting. Biodegradable materials if not
are called "throw-away" materials such as straws,diverted from the landfill contribute much to the
disposable fork and spoon, disposable cups andmethane emission of the landfill, therefore contributes
plates, styropack, plastic cellophanes, and tetra packs.to climate change. Composting is the best way to
These are usually "use-and-dispose" types ofdivert these wastes. Aside from preventing gas
materials. They are not compostable and are difficultemission, it can be converted as soil-enhancer for
to recycle. These are also the types of wastes thatgardening and organic farming.
are commonly found in canals, creeks, rivers andNot all types of wastes can be diverted from the
even ocean. By avoiding the use of these materials,landfill. There are wastes that cannot be recycled,
the amount of waste generated and disposed to thereused, composted and cannot even be avoided.
landfill is minimized, hence, lessens the emission of theThey are called residual wastes and deserved to be
methane gas that contributes to the climate change.contained in a Sanitary Landfill Facility. The more
Further, flood, water and air pollution, brought aboutwastes are being diverted, the lesser amount of
by improper management of this type of wastes,residual wastes brought to the landfill. Therefore,
can be prevented.lesser methane gases emission, lesser greenhouse
2. Recycling and reusing non-biodegradable materials.effect and lesser contribution to the global warming.
Recycling is a process of developing a new productSave the earth now! Divert your wastes!
out of waste material either thru the use of