Sustainability Resource Hub

WASTE

MODULE 2

SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Our rampant consumer culture is producing unsustainable amounts of waste which is having a devastating effect on our environment; and ultimately ourselves. New waste management practices are not only addressing the effective management of end-of-cycle waste, but also reducing our dependence on materials and methods that produce waste in the first place. Waste-to-fuel initiatives, the recycling industry, waste transportation as well as innovations that are recognised as part of the circular economy model are just some of the components that make up the modern waste management sector. By 2025 it is estimated the waste management will be a $530 billion business category.

Key Takeaways

Learn how to start a recycling project
Learn to set up a waste business
Explore green careers: A) For Job Seekers and B) For Entrepreneurs
Discover green technologies in the waste sector

Glossary of Terms

Expand your vocabulary: Bioaccumulation; Biodegradable; Compost; Cradle-to-Grave; Downcycling and upcycling; Organic; Recycle, Reduce/ Reuse, Resource Recovery, Solid Waste; Upcycling; Waste Management Approach; Waste Stream, Circular Economy.

Careers

The waste sector presents career opportunities across the value chain, from recovery at source through to waste beneficiation opportunities must be explored to maximise the economic potential of sustainable waste management. Specialist skills will be required to address the estimated 3.40 billion tons of solid waste the world is expected to generate annually by the year 2050. Just some of the projected new future-orientated careers are listed below:

Hazardous waste disposal, Environmental rehabilitation, E-waste recycling, Organics, Biofuel production