Question

What could be the harmful effects of improper management of industrial and domestic solid waste in a city?

Answer 1

Waste in any form, be it solid, liquid or gaseous affects the environment drastically. This is what we call pollution. However, solid waste from either domestic or industrial sources is visibly destructive and also disrupts the normal functioning of the sewer system and animal life.

Complete answer:
Before seeing the harmful effects of solid waste mismanagement, let’s understand the constituents of domestic waste and industrial waste.
Domestic waste is any discarded material generated by the household's everyday activities. It is non-putrescible; it cannot be decomposed by microorganisms and dwells upon the living space if left untreated. This includes paper, wood, cardboard, metal scraps, or other solid waste.
Similarly, industrial waste is produced by the industries during the manufacturing of goods. They are of industrial origin and include solvents, dirt, gravel, concrete, trash oil, weed grass, chemicals, scrap metal, scrap lumber, or other similar solid waste.
These two categories are further subdivided into Biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
The waste which can be decomposed by microorganisms is termed Biodegradable waste whereas the waste which cannot be decomposed by microorganisms is termed non-biodegradable waste.
A point to remember is that mostly the non-biodegradable waste forms a part of the solid waste.
Now, if the domestic and industrial waste is left untreated the collected garbage would be dumped on large grounds. In the garbage dumping yard, leaching takes place, which disturbs the pH of the soil. Also, it may enter the sewers and block its passages.
Non-biodegradable waste like glass, polythene, metals is mainly very hazardous for marine animals as most of the solid waste is dumped in the oceans. They get trapped in the animal’s organs which eventually leads to their death. Similarly, the ill-treatment of industrial waste leads directly to water, air, and soil pollution.

Note:
Waste is generated as a result of many human activities. Untreated garbage is collected to be taken to the sewers. However, the untreated garbage is consumed by cattles. Proper waste management is preferred because it reduces the risk of heart disease.