LIWA

Waste Management — II: Safe Disposal of Waste

ICSE Class 10 · Geography · Chapter 20

What this chapter covers

Key definitions

Segregation of waste is the separation of waste into different categories, such as wet and dry, at the point where it is produced, so that each category can be treated, recycled or disposed of in the most suitable way.

Dumping is the disposal of waste by depositing it on land, in low-lying areas, in pits or in water bodies.

Open dumping is the unscientific disposal of mixed waste in an open area, without any lining below, cover above or control of its liquid and gases.

Leachate is the dark, foul-smelling liquid formed when rainwater percolates through waste and dissolves or carries away harmful substances from it.

Composting is the controlled decomposition of biodegradable waste, such as kitchen scraps, leaves and crop residue, by micro-organisms in the presence of air, which turns it into a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling manure.

Pit composting is the simple rural method.

Heap or windrow composting is the large-scale method used at city compost plants.

Vermicomposting is the method of composting in which earthworms are used to eat and break down biodegradable waste, producing a fine, rich manure called vermicompost.

Reducing waste means cutting down the amount of waste produced in the first place, by using fewer materials, avoiding unnecessary packaging and choosing durable products over disposable ones.

Reuse is the use of an item again, either for the same purpose or for a different one, without processing it into a new material.

Recycling is the process of collecting used materials, sorting them, and processing them into raw materials from which new products are made.

Key points

Questions answered

Define safe disposal of waste. Name the three methods of safe disposal given in the syllabus.
Safe disposal of waste is the handling, treatment and final placing of waste in a way that does not pollute land, water or air or endanger the health of living things. The three methods are segregation, dumping (in a sanitary landfill) and composting.
What is meant by segregation of waste at source? Name the three main categories into which household waste is segregated in India.
Segregation at source is the separation of waste into categories at the place where it is produced, such as the kitchen. The categories are wet (biodegradable) waste; dry waste, which is mostly non-biodegradable recyclable material such as plastic, glass and metal, but also includes paper and cloth, which are biodegradable yet kept dry for recycling; and domestic hazardous waste.
Give four reasons why segregation of waste is necessary.
It makes clean composting possible; it raises the value of recyclable dry waste; it reduces the load on landfills; it keeps hazardous waste out of soil and water and protects waste workers.
Distinguish between open dumping and a sanitary landfill.
Open dumping is the disposal of mixed waste on open ground without a liner, cover or control of leachate and gases, so it pollutes and spreads disease. A sanitary landfill is an engineered site with a lined base, leachate collection, daily soil cover and gas vents, so the waste is isolated from the environment.
What is leachate? How does a sanitary landfill prevent it from polluting groundwater?
Leachate is the foul liquid formed when rainwater percolates through waste and carries harmful substances out of it. A landfill has a clay and plastic liner at its base that stops leachate soaking into the ground, and pipes that collect it for treatment.
State two disadvantages of landfills even when they are well built.
They need large areas of land, which is scarce near cities; and useful materials buried in them are lost, besides which they must be watched for leaks for decades.
Define composting. State three conditions needed for good composting.
Composting is the controlled decomposition of biodegradable waste by micro-organisms in the presence of air, which turns it into manure. It needs air (regular turning), the right moisture and a balanced mix of nitrogen-rich greens and carbon-rich browns, in small pieces.
What is vermicomposting? Give two advantages of using compost in farming.
Vermicomposting is composting in which earthworms eat and break down biodegradable waste to produce vermicompost. Compost adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers, and improves the soil's ability to hold water.

Past board exam questions

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 2 marks

What is the significance of ‘Reduce’ in the 3R’s of sustainable waste management?

Show answer
Any two: reducing waste prevents its accumulation and harmful effects; it saves valuable natural resources; it decreases pollution; it reduces emission of greenhouse gases.

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 3 marks

(a) Name any two items of daily use that can be recycled. (b) Explain two ways in which recycling is beneficial for the environment.

Show answer
(a) Any two: newspapers / waste paper, glass bottles, plastic items, metal cans. (b) Any two: it conserves natural resources (fewer trees cut, less mining); it reduces the accumulation of waste in landfills; it reduces pollution of air, water and land and saves energy.

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 3 marks

State three measures that can be taken at the household level to reduce solid waste generation.

Show answer
Any three: segregate waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable at source; reuse items such as bottles, jars and bags; avoid single-use plastics and use cloth/jute bags; compost kitchen waste; buy only what is needed and use resources judiciously.

ICSE 2026 board paper · 1 mark

Which of the following is NOT suitable for composting?

  1. Fruit peels
  2. Egg shells
  3. Neem soap
  4. Used tea leaves
Show answer
Neem soap

ICSE 2026 sample paper · 1 mark

Which of the following methods of disposal is best applicable for the waste depicted in the picture below: [Picture: a broken glass tumbler lying on its side, with shattered pieces of glass.]

  1. Burning waste in an open area
  2. Recycling waste
  3. Dumping
  4. Composting
Show answer
Recycling waste

ICSE 2026 sample paper · 2 marks

Study the picture given below and answer the questions that follow: [Picture: a truck tipping a load of mixed garbage onto a huge open heap of waste spread over the ground; people walk over the garbage mound.] (a) Name the method of waste disposal seen in the picture. (b) Why is this method considered a harmful method of waste disposal?

Show answer
(a) Dumping (open dumping of waste). (b) Any two: it pollutes the soil and the underground water; it spreads diseases; it gives off a foul odour; it attracts flies, pests and rodents.

ICSE 2026 sample paper · 3 marks

Fire broke out at the Kochi city waste treatment plant. Thick clouds of toxic smoke engulfed the city. The waste at the plant also contained plastic and biomedical wastes, both of which on combustion are extremely harmful for the general health of people. — Economic Times, 10.03.2023 (a) Which method of waste management would have helped in reducing health hazards in the above case? (b) Mention any one measure you can adopt in schools to reduce waste. (c) State one way in which domestic waste can be made useful.

Show answer
(a) Segregation of waste at source — keeping plastic and biomedical waste apart from other waste (and disposing of them separately). (b) Any one: reuse old notebooks as rough books / pass textbooks to juniors / avoid single-use plastics / compost canteen waste / send paper for recycling. (c) Any one: kitchen waste can be turned into compost; old clothes can be made into doormats or covers; glass bottles can be reused.

ICSE 2026 sample paper · 3 marks

(a) What is composting? (b) Enumerate two advantages of composting as a method of waste disposal.

Show answer
(a) Composting is a biological process in which micro-organisms decompose organic waste into humus (compost), a good natural fertiliser. (b) Any two: it turns waste into valuable manure; it greatly reduces the volume of waste; it improves soil texture, fertility and water-holding capacity.