Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define waste management and its importance.
• Identify different types of waste and their sources.
• Explain the waste management hierarchy.
• Describe our roles in managing waste.
• Propose waste management solutions for our community.

Lesson summary

Waste management is how we handle waste from the time it is produced until it is safely disposed of or reused. In many Ghanaian communities, poor waste management leads to choked gutters and flooding, bad smells, mosquito breeding and diseases (malaria, cholera, typhoid), and pollution of rivers and beaches. Good waste management keeps our homes, schools, markets, and streets clean and supports a healthier environment and economy. Alignment to NaCCA Indicator (B8.5.1.1.1): Learners will identify and explain waste management practices in their communities and propose practical improvements.

Lesson notes

2.1 Meaning of Waste Waste is any material that is no longer useful to the person who has it and is thrown away. Examples in Ghanaian communities: Food leftovers, cassava peels, plantain peels Plastic water sachets, plastic bottles, rubber bags Old clothes, broken buckets, worn-out sandals Paper, cartons, tins, scrap metal Broken glass, batteries, used engine oil (hazardous) 2.2 Meaning of Waste Management Waste management is the process of collecting, transporting, sorting, treating, recycling, and disposing of waste in a way that protects human health and the environment.

A simple way to remember the stages: Generation (waste is produced at home, school, market) Storage (kept in bins/sacks/containers) Collection (Zoomlion/private collectors/assembly trucks) Transport (to transfer station or dumpsite/landfill) Treatment (sorting, composting, recycling, incineration) Final disposal (landfill, controlled dumpsite) 2.3 Types of Waste (Common Community Classification) (A) Biodegradable Waste Waste that can rot/decompose naturally by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi). Examples: Food scraps, fruit peels, leaves, grass, paper (often decomposes) Good management option: composting to make manure. (B) Non-biodegradable Waste Waste that does not rot easily and can stay in the environment for a long time. Examples: Plastics (sachets, bottles), glass, metals, rubber Good management option: reuse, recycling, proper collection and disposal. (C) Hazardous Waste (Special category) Waste that can harm people and the environment if not handled well. Examples: Batteries, broken fluorescent bulbs, pesticides containers, used engine oil, hospital waste (needles), expired medicines Good management option: separate storage and safe disposal through approved systems. 2.4 Waste Management Practices in Communities (What learners should observe “in their communities”)

Below are common practices in Ghanaian communities. Learners should identify which ones occur in their area and whether they are safe or unsafe. 1) Waste Storage (at home/school/market) Using bins with lids, sacks, baskets, or open containers. Good practice: covered bins reduce flies, smell, and disease spread. Poor practice: open dumping in the compound attracts pests. 2) Waste Collection House-to-house collection (paid service) Communal containers/skips at vantage points School/market sweeping and gathering into heaps Good practice: regular collection prevents overflow. Poor practice: irregular collection leads to scattered waste. 3) Sorting/Segregation Separating waste into different groups, e.g.: Organic (food/leaf waste) Plastics Glass/metal Hazardous items Why it matters: sorting makes recycling and composting easier and safer. 4) Reuse Using an item again without changing it much. Examples: Reusing plastic bottles for water (only if safe and clean), storing kerosene (label clearly) Using old buckets for feeding animals Using cartons for storage 5) Recycling Processing waste materials to make new products. Examples in Ghana: Plastic bottles collected and processed into pellets Scrap metal sold to metal dealers Paper recycled into tissue or cardboard Community link: “borla” collectors and scrap dealers support recycling. 6) Composting (Organic Waste Treatment) Composting is controlled rotting of organic waste to produce compost/manure for farming and gardening. Materials: leaves, food scraps, grass, animal droppings (small amounts). Avoid: plastics, metals, glass, diapers, sanitary pads, chemicals.

Simple compost steps (school/community): Choose a shaded corner or compost pit. Add dry leaves + food scraps in layers. Sprinkle a little soil/ash to reduce smell and speed decomposition. Keep moist (not soaked) and turn weekly. After some weeks, compost becomes dark and crumbly. 7) Controlled Disposal (Landfill/Engineered Site) A landfill is a planned site where waste is buried and managed to reduce pollution. Better than open dumping because it reduces smell, pests, and contamination when properly managed. 8) Open Dumping and Littering (Poor practice) Throwing waste into gutters, bushes, beaches, or open spaces. Effects: blocked drains, flooding, water pollution, injuries from sharp objects. 9) Burning (Often practiced but risky) Some people burn waste to reduce volume. Problems: smoke causes breathing issues; burning plastics releases harmful gases; can cause fires. 2.5 Effects of Poor Waste Management (Health, Environment, Economy)