3.6 Waste removal and recycling

Geography

Grade 4

Resources and services within a settlement

Module 19

Waste removal and recycling

Waste removal

The waste in your environment does not only include the refuse in your refuse bins, but also sewerage waste. Sewerage water contains dangerous germs, and cannot end up in rivers, lakes or the ocean without having been purified. It will have a very harmful effect on plant and animal life. That is why sewerage water is purified at water-works.

Larger refuse can become a serious problem if it is not removed regularly.

How often does the waste removal truck call on your house?

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Where is the refuse taken and what do they do with it?

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Activity 1

To determine how waste is processed [lo 3.1]

Can you make suggestions how to get rid of waste without polluting the environment? Remember, the waste includes plastic (that does not decompose).

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Although most of the waste is taken to dumping grounds where it is either incinerated or buried, it is not always the best alternative.

Recycling

Activity 2

To classify the examples of waste illustrated in this activity, according to the table [lo 1.2]

Can you make a suggestion on what we should do with the waste in your households?

Interesting facts about the extent of the waste removal services in the city of cape town.

The city of cape town’s task in relation to refuse removal.

The City of Cape Town manages the area from Bloubergstrand to Gordon’s Bay. The refuse from 3,2 million residents as well as that of the factories and businesses is taken from 660 000 service points to six large dumping areas – 1,5 million tons of rubbish per year. This amount increases by 6% each year. The urban population has grown by 3,5% over the past few years. This means that people are producing more and more rubbish each year.

Research has shown that wealthy people generate 25 kg of rubbish per household each week, poor people generate 15 kg per household and the very poorest people in informal settlements generate 8 kg per house.

Unfortunately very little domestic refuse is recycled. People in Europe and the USA generate more refuse but fortunately also recycle much of it.

Remember: the more refuse we recycle, the less we have to get rid of.

Assessment

Learning outcome 1: geographical enquiry

The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and

environmental concepts and processes.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

1.2 organises information under given headings.

Learning outcome 3: exploring issues

The learner will be able to make informed decisions about social and environmental issues and problems.

Assessment standard

We know this when the learner:

3.1 identifies issues associated with resources and services in a particular context.

Memorandum

Waste removal

• Refuse dumps (recirculation – decomposition)