NCERT 6th Class (CBSE) Science: Garbage In, Garbage Out

Question: List five ways in which you can contribute to a better disposal waste.

Answer: The 5 ways are:

1. Reuse the plastic bottle.
2. Carry year own cloth or jute bag when you go for shopping.
3. Dig a compost pit and put biodegradable waste.
4. As far as possible try to sell all the recyclable items that are not required to kaleadiwala.
5. Reduce the use of paper bags and refuse plastic.

Question: Why do we refer earthworms as farmers friends.

Answer: Earthworms are known as former’s friends because we put into a landfill full of biodegradable waste which turns into manure after 2-3 months. They also help the farmer to grow crops as they loosen up the soil so that the water can reach down deep.

Question: Would you refer to dispose off dry leaves in your garden by burning them or by composting them? Give reasons.

Answer: I will do composting because it will make manure if it will mix with in the soil and make soil fertile. I will not burn the leaves as it will harm our environment.

Question: Can you call a kabadiwala a “friend of the environment”? why?

Answer: Yes, I will call a kabadiwala as he collects paper, metal plants glass etc. and send for recycling material.

Question: What is the role of earthworms in cleaning our soil?

Answer: Earthworms are:

1. 1. They moves through the soil that loosens and aerates the soil. This also helps the water to reach the roots quickly.
   2. Earthworms excreta increases the fertility of the soil.
   3. After their death, they get decomposed and add humus to the soil.

Question: (1) Which kind of garbage is not converted into compost by the red worms?
(2) Have you seen any other organism besides red worms, in your pit? If yes, try to find out their names. Draw pictures of these.

Answer:

1. Garbage substances like broken glass, aluminium wrappers, plastic items, polythene bags, which are non-biodegradable cannot be converted into compost by the red worms.
2. Yes, saprophytic organisms such as moulds (white, black or greyish cottony patches) and bacteria (which can be seen under microscope) that help in decomposing biodegradable substances.

Question: Discuss:

1. Is garbage disposal the responsibility only of the government?
2. Is it possible to reduce the problems relating to disposal of garbage?

Answer:

(a) Along with government and local municipality corporations, it is also the duty of every citizen to help in garbage disposal. A clean environment is necessary to keep us healthy and also to avoid spread of diseases. We should throw garbage at proper places, such as dustbins so that Safai Karamcharis cam collect the garbage easily.
(b) It is possible to reduce the problems relating to disposal of garbage, if we adopt the following means:

1.  The garbage should be thrown at proper places. It should not be thrown ‘ on streets, roads, parks, etc.
2.  The part of the garbage that can be reused should be separated from the one that cannot be used. The non-useful components should be disposed off at landfill areas.
3.  Follow the rule of Three R’s:
   A. Reduce: Use the things in minimum amount which is necessary to fulfil your requirement.
   B. Recycle: The things such as plastic, paper, glass and metals separated from the garbage may be recycle to make new things instead of dumping them along with other wastes.
   C. Reuse: It means use of things again and again. For example, plastic bottles of jam or pickle can be used for storing things in the kitchen.