NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 16 Garbage in, Garbage out

Chapter 16 Garbage in, Garbage out

Question 1:
a) Which kind of garbage is not converted into compost by the redworms?
b) Have you seen any other organism besides redworms, in your pit? If yes, try to find out their names. Draw pictures of these.
Answer:
a) Pieces of cloth, polythene bags, broken glass, aluminium wrappers, nails and broken toys are not converted into compost by the red worms.

b) Earthworms, small insects like ant, millipedes are found in pits.
 
Question 2: Discuss:
a) Is garbage disposal the responsibility only of the government?
b) Is it possible to reduce the problems relating to disposal of garbage?
Answer:
a) No, garbage disposal is not only the responsibility of the government, but everybody is responsible for garbage disposal. We should segregate wet and dry waste, recycle the non-biodegradable substances and we should also reduce the accumulation of garbage in our house and streets.
b) Yes, it is possible to reduce the problems of garbage by scientific disposal of garbage, we can do it by segregating them into different waste and also by recycling the waste materials.

Question 3:
a) What do you do with the left over food at home?
b) If you and your friends are given the choice of eating in a plastic plate or a banana leaf platter at a party, which one would you prefer and why?
Answer:
a) Leftover food can be dumped into the compost pit so that the microorganisms and the earthworms can convert the leftover food into manure. And this manure can be used in manuring for plants.
b) I would prefer eating on a banana leaf platter at a party because it can be easily decomposed. While the plastic plates can’t be decomposed easily as they are made of chemicals. Plastics also pollute the environment.

Question 4:
a) Collect pieces of different kinds of paper. Find out which of these can be recycled.
b) With the help of a lens look at the pieces of paper you collected for the above question. Do you see any difference in the material of recycled paper and a new sheet of paper?
Answer:
a) Papers such as newspapers, notebooks, magazines can be recycled easily. But few paper such as shiny and coated papers cannot be easily recycled.
b) Recycled paper is usually thick or rough in comparison to a new sheet of paper.

Question 5:
a) Collect different kinds of packaging material. What was the purpose for which each one was used? Discuss in groups.
b) Give an example in which packaging could have been reduced?
c) Write a story on how packaging increases the amount of garbage.
Answer:
a) Different kinds of packaging materials used commonly consists of
→ Cardboard - It is used for packing shoe, soap, bulb and other boxes.
→ Plastic Bags - It is used for packing toys, sarees etc
→ Wooden Boxes - It is used for packing fruit baskets and boxes for hardware.

b) By reusing the packaging material, we can reduce the accumulation of garbage.

c) The main use of packaging is to protect the product from damage and to maintain its freshness and purity. But most of the packaging material is used to beautify the boxes and make them look attractive on the shelves. Unfortunately, a large volume of packaging material goes waste and is thrown into the dustbin.
Example: In most of the places, the dustbins are full of chips and biscuit wrappers. It unnecessarily increases the amount of garbage. It also increases the cost of the product due to unnecessary packaging.

Question 6: Do you think it is better to use compost instead of chemical fertilisers? Why?
Answer: Yes, it is better to use compost instead of chemical fertilizers because it is easy to prepare compost. Compost is environment friendly as it does not cause any health issues in humans and animals. Compost will not cause pollution. Compost increases soil fertility. Compost is biodegradable.