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EARTH SCIENCE
Module EIGHT
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MODULE 8
HUMAN ACTIVITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:

You will be able to (1) describe how people generate different types of waste
(solid, liquid, and gaseous) as they make use of various materials and resources
in everyday life; (2) explain how different types of waste affect people’s health
and the environment, and (3) cite ways of reducing the production of waste at
home, in school, and around the community.

LEARNING TARGETS:
At the end of the unit lesson, you should be able to:

 describe the type of waste generated by a typical household;

 enumerate and describe the environmental and health impact of the improper disposal of household
waste;
 appreciate the enormity of the problem of waste disposal in the Philippines;
 propose ways to reduce the volume of municipal waste; and
 describe the wastes produced from different sources and their effect on human health and the
environment

MOTIVATION

PAYATAS is one of the many garbage dumpsites in Metro Manila. On the 10 th of July 2000,
a landslide of garbage killed 218 people living on the dumpsite with 300 people still
missing. The dumpsite covers an area of about 13 hectares.

‘Why is there a need for dumpsites, such as the

Payatas dumpsite?’
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UNLOCKING DIFFICULTIES:
The following are the keywords and challenging terms used in this module:

 WASTE - is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use.
 WASTE MANAGEMENT - includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception
to its final disposal.
 LEACHATE - water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the constituents.
 EUROTROPHICATION - is when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients
which induce excessive growth of algae. 
 SILTATION - is a process by which water becomes dirty as a result of fine mineral particles in the water.
 ACID MINE DRAINAGE (AMD) - is the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines.

REFLECT UPON!

Table 1 shows the estimated waste generated per region in the Philippines. Determine the amount of waste
(in million tons/year) being generated by your region. Emphasize that there is a huge volume of waste being
generated per year. Waste disposal has always been a big problem for the Philippines.

It is estimated that, in the next 30 years, Metro Manila alone will generate approximately 230 million cubic
meters of solid waste– enough to fill the country’s largest shopping mall over 175 times (Asian Development
Bank, 2004). This then leaves us with this important question: ‘what are we going to do with this situation?’

Describing the solid waste conditions in the country involves understanding the composition and sources of
solid wastes, waste generation rates, and waste projection.
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The amount, composition, and sources of solid wastes generated can be statistically determined through the
conduct of waste analysis and characterization studies (WACS).

Information on the sources of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) was provided by several Environment
Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Offices in addition to data from submitted SWM plans. The available
information from 2008 to 2013 was synthesized and summarized in the Figure below.

MSW comes from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources. Residential waste constitutes
the bulk (56.7%) of MSW and includes kitchen scraps, yard waste, paper and cardboard, glass bottles, plastic
containers, and sando bags, foils, soiled tissues and diapers, and special wastes such as containers of
household cleaning agents, batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Commercial sources which include commercial establishments and public or private markets contribute 27.1%
of which, in some regions, about two- thirds of commercial wastes come from the latter. Institutional sources
such as government offices, educational and medical institutions account for about 12.1% while the remaining
4.1% is waste coming from the industrial or manufacturing sector.

Based on available information from the Regional State of the Environment reports and various WACS data,
the typical composition of MSW in the Philippines is shown in Figure below.

MODULE 8
HUMAN ACTIVITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Describe how people generate different

types of waste (solid, liquid, and gaseous) as
they make use of various materials and
resources in everyday life.
We’ve had a problem with wastes ever since the industrial revolution. Technology has given rise to
automation and this in turn has led to a profound effect on our environment. From non-biodegradable plastics
to ozone-destroying CFCs, discover how the accumulation of wastes affects the planet.

The different sources of wastes can be identified by recognizing the types of wastes. Let us first define the
term waste. Waste is any substance that is discarded after primary use or in other words, there is no further
use for the product. We generate a huge amount of wastes in our day to day life. From the groundnut shells
that we throw after eating, to the food wrappers that we discard after consuming its contents are all parts of
the activities that contribute to the generation of waste.

Before discussing different sources of wastes, let us get a brief idea about the various types of wastes that we
generate.

DEFINITION OF WASTE

Waste is a product or substance which is no longer suited for its intended use. Whereas in natural ecosystems
waste (i.e. oxygen, carbon dioxide, and dead organic matter) is used as food or a reactant, waste materials
resulting from human activities are often highly resilient and take a long time to decompose.

For legislators and governments, defining and classifying waste based on risks related to the environment and
human health is therefore important to provide appropriate and effective waste management. For the
producer or holder, assessing whether a material is a waste or not is important in identifying whether waste
rules should be followed. Definitions are also relevant in the collection and analysis of waste data as well as in
domestic and international reporting obligations.

Waste has been defined in most countries and is generally tied to the concept of disposal.

On a more detailed level, a notable variety of definitions and classification approaches are used
globally. Materials and substances that are directed for recycling or re-use are often (but not always) regarded
as waste since the producer or holder discards them and they will only cease to be waste if certain procedures
are completed and documented. Defining waste can at times also be a case-by-case decision. For example,
industrial by-products can on certain conditions be regarded as non-waste. The national waste regulation is
the main reference point in this regard.

Waste can be classified based on source (who/what generated the waste? See Figure 1), substance (what is it
made of?), hazard properties (how dangerous is it?), management (who handles it?), or a mix of these
concepts.
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Figure 1. Waste classification by origin. Different activities generate different types of waste.

Two main waste categories can be established based on the distinct legislation and policy instruments usually
in place: non-hazardous or solid waste; and hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is usually regulated at the
national level, while non-hazardous is regulated at the regional or local (municipal) level. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Classification of waste.

MAIN TYPES OF WASTES:

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In general, the wastes may be classified into the following categories:

A. SOLID WASTES – These are the unwanted substances that are discarded by human society.
These include urban wastes, industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, biomedical wastes, and radioactive
wastes.

B. LIQUID WASTES – Wastes generated from washing, flushing, or manufacturing processes of industries
are called liquid wastes.

Liquid waste includes sewage as well as wastewater from industrial processes such as food and agricultural processing
and manufacturing. Liquid waste can be subdivided into other waste types based on the nature of the liquid waste and
the risks it poses.

For example, wastewater may contain organic substances and nutrients that are of value to agriculture or may be
hazardous due to the chemicals or pathogens it contains.

C. GASEOUS WASTES – These are the wastes that are released in the form of gases from automobiles,
factories, or the burning of fossil fuels like petroleum. They get mixed in the other gases' atmosphere
and occasionally cause events such as smog and acid rain.

CLASSIFICATION OF WASTE

A. BIODEGRADABLE WASTE - can be degraded such as paper, wood, fruits, and others

B. NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTE - cannot be degraded such as plastics, bottles, old machines, cans, etc.

C. HAZARDOUS WASTES SUBSTANCES - unsafe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or

economically and have any of the following properties- ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity & toxicity.

D. NON-HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES - safe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically

and do not have any of those properties mentioned above. These substances usually create disposal
problems.

NON-HAZARDOUS/SOLID WASTE 
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Is all waste which has not been classified as hazardous: paper, plastics, glass, metal and beverage cans, organic
waste, etc. While not hazardous, solid waste can have serious environmental and health impact if left
uncollected and untreated. While a significant proportion of solid waste could theoretically be reused or
recycled, collection by type of waste (selective waste collection) – a prerequisite for reuse and recycling – is
one of the biggest waste management challenges.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

Is waste that has been identified as potentially causing harm to the environment and human health and
therefore needs special, separate treatment and handling. Chemical and physical characteristics determine
the exact collection and recycling process. Flammability, corrosiveness, toxicity, ecotoxicity, and explosiveness
are the main characteristics of hazardous waste. Liquid, gaseous, and powder waste need special treatment by
default to avoid the dispersal of the waste. Generally, separate collection and handling are established to
avoid contact with non-hazardous waste. Chemical treatment, incineration or high-temperature treatment,
safe storage, recovery, and recycling are possible modes of treatment for hazardous waste. Most hazardous
waste originates from industrial production. Special kinds of hazardous waste include:

 E-WASTE is waste from electric and electronic equipment such as end-of-life computers, phones, and
home appliances. E-waste is generally classified as hazardous because it contains toxic components
(e.g. PCB and various metals).
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 BIOMEDICAL WASTE originates from the human and animal healthcare systems and usually consists of
medicines, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, bandages, used medical equipment, bodily fluids, and body
parts. Medical waste can be infectious, toxic, or radioactive or contain bacteria and harmful
microorganisms (including those that are drug-resistant).

 RADIOACTIVE WASTE contains radioactive materials. The management of radioactive waste differs

significantly from that of other waste. Like all industries, the generation of electricity produces waste.
Whatever fuel is used, the waste produced in generating electricity must be managed in ways that
safeguard human health and minimize the impact on the environment.

For radioactive waste, this means isolating or diluting it such that the rate or concentration of any
radionuclides returned to the biosphere is harmless. To achieve this, practically all radioactive waste is
contained and managed, with some needing deep and permanent burial. From nuclear power generation,
unlike all other forms of thermal electricity generation, all waste is regulated – none is allowed to cause
pollution.
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OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF WASTE ACCORDING TO THEIR ORIGIN AND TYPE

A. MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTES

Solid wastes that include household garbage, rubbish, construction & demolition debris, sanitation
residues, packaging materials, trade refuges, etc. are managed by any municipality.

B. INDUSTRIAL WASTES
Liquid and solid wastes that are generated by
manufacturing & processing units of various industries
like chemical, petroleum, coal, metal gas, sanitary &
paper etc.

C. AGRICULTURAL WASTES
Unwanted or unsalable materials produced wholly
from agricultural operations directly related to the
growing of crops or raising of animals for the primary
purpose of making a profit or of livelihood. Wastes
generated from farming activities. These substances
are mostly biodegradable.

D. FISHERY WASTES
Wastes generated due to fishery activities. These are
extensively found in coastal & estuarine areas.
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MODULE 8
HUMAN ACTIVITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Explain how different types of waste

affect people’s health and the
environment.
Modernization and progress have had its share of disadvantages and one of the main aspects of concern is the
pollution it is causing to the earth – be it land, air, and water. With an increase in the global population and
the rising demand for food and other essentials, there has been a rise in the amount of waste being generated
daily by each household. This waste is ultimately thrown into municipal waste collection centers from where it
is collected by the area municipalities to be further thrown into the landfills and dumps. However, either due
to resource crunch or inefficient infrastructure, not all of this waste gets collected and transported to the final
dumpsites. If at this stage the management and disposal are improperly done, it can cause serious impacts on
health and problems to the surrounding environment.

Waste that is not properly managed, especially excreta and other liquid and solid waste from households and
the community, is a serious health hazard and leads to the spread of infectious diseases. Unattended waste
lying around attracts flies, rats, and other creatures that in turn spread disease. Normally it is the wet waste
that decomposes and releases a bad odor. This leads to unhygienic conditions and thereby to a rise in health
problems. A plague outbreak is a good example of a city suffering due to the callous attitude of the local body
in maintaining cleanliness in the city. Plastic waste is another cause of ill health. Thus excessive solid waste
that is generated should be controlled by taking certain preventive measures.

COMMON IMPACTS OF WASTE ON HEALTH

 Chemical poisoning through chemical inhalation
 Uncollected waste can obstruct the storm water runoff resulting in a flood
 Low birth weight
 Cancer
 Congenital malformations
 Neurological disease
 Nausea and vomiting
 Increase in the hospitalization of diabetic residents living near hazardous waste sites.
 Mercury toxicity from eating fish with high levels of mercury.

EFFECTS OF WASTE ON ANIMALS AND AQUATICS LIFE

 Increase in mercury level in fish due to the disposal of mercury in the rivers.
 Plastic found in oceans is ingested by birds.
 Resulted in a high algal population in rivers and sea.
 Degrades water and soil quality.

IMPACTS OF WASTE ON ENVIRONMENT

 Waste breaks down in landfills to form methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
 Change in climate and destruction of the ozone layer due to waste biodegradable.
 Incinerating waste also causes problems, because plastics tend to produce toxic substances, such as
dioxins, when they are burned.
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 Gases from incineration may cause air pollution and contribute to acid rain, while the ash from
incinerators may contain heavy metals and other toxins.
MODULE 8
HUMAN ACTIVITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Cite ways of reducing the

production of waste at home, in
school, and around the community.
Proper methods of waste disposal have to be undertaken to ensure that it does not affect the environment
around the area or cause health hazards to the people living there. 

At the household-level proper segregation of waste has to be done and it should be ensured that all organic
matter is kept aside for composting, which is undoubtedly the best method for the correct disposal of this
segment of the waste. The organic part of the waste that is generated decomposes more easily, attracts
insects, and causes disease. Organic waste can be composted and then used as a fertilizer.

THE 3 R’s OF WASTE MANAGEMENT

REDUCE The best way to manage waste is to not produce it.

 Avoid disposable goods, such as paper plates, cups, napkins, razors, and lighters.
 Avoid over-packaged goods, especially ones packed with several materials such as foil, paper, and
plastic. They are difficult to recycle.
 Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.
 Use a dishcloth instead of paper towels.

RE-USE It makes economic and environmental sense to reuse products.

 Reuse products for the same purpose. Save paper and plastic bags, and repair broken appliances,
furniture, and toys.
 Sell old clothes, appliances, toys, and furniture in garage sales or ads, or donate them to charities.
 Use resalable containers rather than plastic wrap.
 Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of paper cups.
 Reuse grocery bags or bring your cloth bags to the store. Do not take a bag from the store unless you
need one.

RE-CYCLE Recycling is a series of steps that takes used material and processes, remanufactures, and sells it
as a new product.
 Buy products made from recycled material. Look for the recycling symbol or ask store managers or
salesmen.
 Use recycled paper for letterhead, copier paper, and newsletters.
 Check collection centers and curbside pickup services to see what they accept, and begin collecting
those materials. These can include metal cans, newspapers, paper products, glass, plastics, and oil.
 Buy products made from a material that is collected for recycling.
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FEW OTHER THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE

 Donate/exchange old books, clothes, computers, excess building material, old equipment to local
organizations.
 Employee education - education campaign on waste management that includes an extensive internal
web site, quarterly newsletters, daily bulletins, promotional signs, and helpful reference labels within
the campus of an institution.
 Conduct outreach program adopting an ecologically sound waste management system which includes:
a. waste reduction
b. segregation at source
c. composting
d. recycling and re-use
e. more efficient collection
f. more environmentally sound disposal

OTHER USEFUL OPTIONS

 VERMICOMPOSTING - the use of earthworms to convert organic waste into fertilizer.

 COMPOSTING - nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as
compost.
 RESOURCE RECOVERY
 INCINERATION - the destruction of waste material by burning.
 PYROLYSIS - decomposition brought about by high temperatures.
 GASIFICATION
 ENERGY RECOVERY
 BIO METHANATION - process to convert waste into biogas with the help of anaerobic microorganism
like bacteria.
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MODULE 8
HUMAN ACTIVITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

BIBLICAL INSIGHT

NUMBERS 35:33-34
“You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for
blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be
made for the land for the blood that is shed in it,
except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall
not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of
which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell amid the people
of Israel.”

REFERENCES:

Carlson, D.H. et al. (2011). Physical geology: the earth revealed. McGraw-Hill.

Desonie, D. (2015). CK-12 Earth Science High School. http://www.ck12.org/earth-science.

Alameda County Waste Management Authority & Source Reduction and Recycling Board. (1997). Do The Rot
Thing: A Teacher's Guide to Compost Activities. Retrieved from http://www.cvswmd.org/uploads/
6/1/2/6/6126179/do_the_rot_thing_cvswmd1.pdf

Asian Development Bank. (2004). The Garbage Book. Retrieved from

http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/29301/garbage- book.pdf

Biology Discussion. (n.d.). Wastes: Sources, Classification, and Impact. Retrieved from
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/wastes/wastes- sources-classification-and-impact/70

Prepared by:

LENDON JAN S. CONDE

Subject Teacher

Checked by:

RAYMOND W. DELA CUESTA, LPT, M.A.Ed.

Senior High School Academic Coordinator

Noted by:
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ELEANOR C. AGUILLON, LPT, M.A.Ed.

Senior High School Focal Person