Latest social issues

Wastage and Surplus Materials at Homes In urban areas

(The present article mentions noticed or unnoticed wastages that occur at the household levels and are usually not discussed. It is based on the personal experiences, review of literature and observations.

The objective of the article is; to create awareness about various types of wastages that take place at household levels. The article may be useful for general masses , men, women , children , NGOs (voluntary organisation), government officials , private sectors , policy makers , educational institutions ( schools, colleges ) and others

In homes wastages of water, electricity, petrol are very common and are discussed at various forums. Direct or indirect wastages at any level can cause environmental hazards, pollution, scarcity of things and prise high.

Wastages at homes; unnecessary collection of materials;

Wastage in the kitchens can be of food, gas/ fuel, electricity and water. Wastage in some or the other form of consumable items like vegetables, grains, pulses and spices is quite common amongst middle class and upper class in cities. Purchases are done without assessing what already in stock and future requirements. Fresh purchase of infested and expired items, cooking of food much more then what is required, storing of food for months in refrigerators and then throwing in dustbin is quite common. Wastage of ready to eat foods, ice creams , mutton , eggs , chicken, fish ( and other types of non-vegetarian foods), cheese ,butter , milk ,spices , sauces, juices, jams , biscuits is quite common .It has been observed that many people keep larged sizes or sometimes two refrigerators to store cooked and uncooked food items for months. This may be necessary for families who go out for work and don’t have time to cook on daily basis but occasionally they forget what all is already kept in refrigerators.
Clothes, Shoes, Accessories and Furnishings: Purchases are done even when not required and there is shortage of storage space. In some upper and higher middle class families in urban areas sometimes there is abundance of stitched clothes( used / unused ), furnishings and linen ( stitched / unstitched / half stitched) , bed sheets and covers , cushion covers, towels, curtains, napkins, shoes, purses, caps, toys, wall hangings and show pieces. The list can be endless.
Literary and Stationary items like pens, pencils, sharpeners,colours, file folders, books encyclopaedia, dictionaries , maps and globes, story books , novels , pictures , posters that are not in use.
Packing and storage boxes... gift boxes , shoe boxes, leather, synthetics and cotton carry bags, brief cases, suitcases , wooden boxes, school bags that are surplus .
Beauty and toilette items,creams, shampoos, soaps, hand wash, soap jells and hair shampoo, colours, creams, makeup items that are expired.
Flowering and decorative plants / Pots, Diwali diyas / candles , decorative items.
Electronic and electrical items and equipments; radio/ transistors , record players, iron , guessers , washing machines, dryers, mobile phones, laptops and other electrical items.
Furniture; table-chair,study chairs, dining tables and chairs, sofas and settees, stools, almira , and other wooden items, show pieces etc..
Musical Instruments; drums, casio, guitar, harmonium, tablaa and other traditional, regional and Indian and western instruments .
Old bicycles, exercise bikes and other items, yoga mats and other item related to yoga and exercises.

Prevention of food wastage;

Buy only that much what is required. Choose those things that have maximum shelf life. Store them properly as per instructions to avoid infestation due to fungus and insects. Always check expiry dates before purchasing.
Take only that much food in eating plate which one can eat.
Don't throw surplus cooked eatable food in dustbins, instead give it to needy people like helpers, domestic helps, gardeners, watchman, press man, car cleaners and others(only after assessing their requirements).Because it has been sometimes observed that cooked food like chapattis,rice,vegetables ,dals, bread pieces etc.given to them is found lying on the sides of roads and near trees .
Many NGOs as also people doing social work collect surplus food that is in good condition from homes, hotels, restaurants etc. and distribute to needy persons.
Use surplus cooked items to make some other interesting recipes before it gets spoiled.
Regularly check all the packed items and their expiry dates, first use things that will get spoiled early.
Keep cooked and other food that may get spoiled at cooler place or in refrigerators. Check refrigerators regularly for food items that need be consumed first.
Water used for washing vegetables can be used watering plants. Drained extra water from RO water purifier can be stored to wash clothes, washing floors and cars and for bathing. (Particularly in those areas where there is shortage of water).
Kitchen wastes can be used to make fertilizer for household plants.

Sensible Disposal and Avoid Wastage;

Household items that are not used for the last few months /years can be disposed off after assessing their utility .While disposing off, it is better that things reach to right people who really need and will utilise them .In India the practice of recycling has been there from the ancient times .

Few suggestions;

Using old things within family members and giving these to friends and relatives is better as was the trend earlier. (Sharing and optimum utilisation).
First preference should be modifying, mending and using thing as per requirements.
Selling directly to a person or on line can be an option. Sales and proceeds may be given to the needy people or to some welfare organisations if one does need for herself/himself.
In many cities, groups like "BUY NOTHING" are started on social media. These encourages people not to buy new products but asks neighbours if they have something to pass on.
Donating to genuine voluntary organisations, welfare associations, women’s groups, youth groups, adolescent groups after assessing requirements and utility depending upon the type of activities they undertake.
Give extra / surplus to those shops of Re-Use / Re-Run that sell only old items.
Putting a sale / exhibitions of old things that are in good conditions for the friends,colleagues,neighbours.
Giving to small scale factories for workers / staff where employees can choose as per their requirements.
Tailors / boutiques, can be given old hangers, new cloth material pieces, laces and buttons and other accessories.
Working staff, helpers, sweepers, and gardeners can be provided any household item as per their requirements. Nearby Vegetable vendors can be given extra carry bags.
Small Scale Industries and Women’s groups that are engaged in making bags , doormats , durries , stuffed toys, paper bags ,and other items from used material can be given old clothes , furnishing material and newspapers and other paper materials.
Health care centres run by voluntary sectors can be given old beds,beddings, health care gadgets and equipment that are in working condition and medicines that are not expired.
Surplus cosmetics and other similar items that are in good condition and are within expiry dates can be given to local beauty parlours.
Stationary items and old toys can be given to children of helpers working within or nearby societies. Also can also be given to nearby play schools or coaching centres.
Extra plants,saplings, seeds etc. can be gifted to friends, relatives and neighbours or donate to offices of RWAs, or to plant nurseries.

Keep only those things, that are really required.

*Nirmal Tikku ,Ex Deputy Director ,NIPCCD, June 2022