Waste is a big problem today. Waste can be a few different things, like the rubbish you throw out, the different mess you make or the things you get rid of. When waste is not managed properly, it can cause big problems.

What is waste?

Well what is waste management?

Waste management is basically how we dispose or get rid of the things we don't use.

Did you know that most Australian households generate around 400 kilograms of waste each year.

That means that the 400 kilograms of squished up rubbish is around the same weight as four new born baby elephants!

Why is it so important to know about Waste Management?

Humans are using more and more things to survive which means more waste! When there is more waste, it becomes harder to manage, so we need to know how to do it properly so that it doesn't cause bigger problems.

Can it harm my environment?

Yes! For example, many electronic devices are thrown out incorrectly. Things such as batteries in the landfill sites where the rubbish is dumped can leak dangerous chemicals such as Mercury, Cadmium or Lead. These chemicals then make their way into water streams contaminating more water than you could drink in your life!

Did you know that Australians use approximately 4.5 billion plastic bags every year, and a lot of this ends up in the ocean? This is caused by people littering, not recycling properly, not using the correct bins or choosing not to re-use the plastic bags or use alternative shopping bags. This leads to major problems in our oceans and can hurt out ocean creatures like birds, fish, turtles and seals.