What do you understand when we say waste management? The Eco Grid Energy defines waste management as the collection, treatment and proper
disposal of home waste materials especially the hazardous waste. As far back as
the 8000 BC, people disposed their waste outside their homes. In Europe and
Asia, waste was collected in clay containers and then hauled away from the
community. During the 15th century, the city councils paved the
streets to prevent people from stepping on waste and feces. Cleanliness was
imposed under stiff penalties. The garbage cans were then introduced to prevent
the spread of bacteria and viruses, which caused plague to humans. The cholera
epidemic in the 19th century claimed about 380,000 lives in Prussia
alone. Let us recognize the link between public health measures and mortality
as very much associated with proper waste disposal. To this very day, there is
a very direct relationship between environmental hygiene and the formation of
life threatening diseases especially in the developing countries.
