Most waste experts agree, the first step in waste control is to reduce, reuse and recycle.  Reduce refers to lessening the amount of items or resources that are consumed, using only the amount that is needed, and looking for alternatives that will lessen our use.

Recycle means to process old, used items in order that the material can be used to make new products. Examples of things that are often recycled are glass, plastic, newspapers, aluminum cans, used motor oil, and batteries.  It is imperative that Gambia reduces waste in every sector including residential waste; construction waste; retail waste including retail stores, hotels and restaurants and bars; medical waste; pharmaceutical waste, office waste; automotive waste, and computer and electronics waste.  

Reduce

One of the best ways to reduce consumable waste is to reduce packaging.  The more packaging, the more waste.  That is why selling in bulk form is more sustainable than packaged goods.  Bulk products reduce waste and retail cost.  

Items like grains and flours, sugar, beans, cereals, honey, oil and water can be sold bulk.  Hygiene systems would have to be institutionalized by retailers so that products are not handled by the human hand.  Effective storage technologies have now been developed to protect bulk products from moisture and pests and therefore packaging is not needed.  

All those plastic bottles containing pharmaceutical drugs just pile up on the earth, why can’t pharmacies buy drugs bulk and dispense them in biodegradable packaging?  

We all can commit to using biodegradable reusable bags for our shopping thereby reducing plastic bag pollution.

This can be done simply by returning to Gambian practice of taking baskets to shop and carry our purchases.  Other biodegradable bags can be made of baobab, cotton or other natural fiber. There are too many waste reduction approaches to discuss here.  If, however, Gambia does not become aggressive in the development of waste reduction policies and practices, future generations will have to address the waste nightmare created today.

Reuse

Gambia also needs to be systematic about reuse practices especially of glass and plastic containers.  Exactly what are the restaurants and hotels doing with their glass and plastic waste?  We should reuse all glass and plastic containers?  Instead of merchants in the market selling liquids like oil and palm oil in plastic bags, why can’t they reuse glass bottles?  

Perhaps one of our greatest assets goes into the waste stream, which is our organic matter waste.  All the raw peals from vegetables like oranges, onions and potatoes or raw egg shells could be composted for use in the agriculture sector.  It is even possible to put arid soils into reuse with the use of organic matter.  

Our organic matter waste is all around us, dropped tree leaves that we rack up and throw-away to the waste from raw fish throw away.  Even coffee grinds are good for the soil.

Any RAW (UNCOOKED) organic matter builds the soil.   We could do this by instituting a compost collection system that is tied to our waste collection system.  People can also make personal non-assisted commitments to composting for their personal use and to share with others.  Believe me, your fruit trees and other plants will flourish with a top dressing of compost.  

Composting is easy.  Just keep your raw waste in a bucket, throw it in a secluded area in your compound and cover with soil, turn your pile once or twice a week and now and then water your pile to increase the rate of decomposition.  When the portions of the pile completely decompose you will have a rich compost to apply to any and all of your horticulture, except plants that prefer poor soils.

Recycle

We also need to strengthen and expand our recycling efforts from aluminum, steal and glass to newspapers and ink cartridges.  What happens to all those metal cans and metal tops from milk, sodas, juices and alcoholic beverages?  If recycling of paper is not economically and/or environmentally feasible, then a program of composting paper should be studied, however, potential impacts on the environment by artificial colors and chemicals that may be present from paper bleaching processes need to be investigated.

To reduce potential contamination from artificial ink and chemicals in paper from bleaching, we should encourage the use of unbleached paper and vegetable dyes across Gambian society.

Ink cartridge companies have recycling programs.  Businesses that use cartridges should commit to sending their used cartridges back to these companies for recycling.

Clearly mass education and government policy on waste is direly needed.

Don’t toss away your empty ink cartridge in the trash bin. Just think about the many possibilities that can help you save not only in dollars, but also prevent the environment from getting polluted.

One, you have an option of inkjet cartridge refill. They are very cost effective. Just before your cartridge goes completely dry, use an ink refill kit and refill the cartridge. It comes at only a small percentage of the new inkjet cartridge. The method is easy and convenient. Just follow the instructions carefully. And of course keep the ink handy, so that you do not have to run to the store, at the last moment.

Two, there are now companies that offer to recycle inkjet cartridges. Not only that, they even offer discounts on new cartridges in exchange for the used ones. They remanufacture the used inkjet cartridge by breaking it down, cleaning it and putting it back together again to be refilled. This is then reintroduced for sale in the market. As this process does not involve any melting of the material, hence there are no resulting injurious fumes. This is the most eco- friendly way to dispose of the inkjet cartridge and saves you money too. A situation where everyone wins!!

Three, even when you have to dispose off the used inkjet cartridge, do it an environment friendly way. The cartridge is made of plastic and chemicals which when disposed off via incorrect measures release fumes which are hazardous to health. To protect from such harm, use the option of recycling. Nowadays recycling is encouraged and has become a standard in almost all the offices. It has become a law too in many areas. Recycling basically aims at reducing the waste we create from things such as plastics and chemicals. So, if you throw away your used ink cartridges in the garbage can, ‘Reconsider’. Simply recycle them with the rest of your plastics in the normal recycling bin at home. Though everyone today is awakening to the need to recycle, sometimes such small things happen to be overlooked. Only just be careful the next time. It is imperative.

A word of caution. Some recycling programs offered by inkjet cartridge manufacturers are not really as ‘green’ as they claim to be. They overlook the eco-friendly processes and just melt down the cartridge with the other plastic and waste material to their raw, malleable form. That plastic could end up as your kitchen utensil as well! So ensure you are disposing off your used inkjet cartridge safely. Send it to a remanufacturing program instead of a typical recycling plant.

About the Author:
Ann Woods is a research analyst for Ask4Ink. http://Ask4Ink.com retails ink cartridges and laser toners at up to 70% below retail. Sign up for their free newsletter for tips & discount coupons. Visit: http://www.Ask4Ink.com .