The Landfill
The USA, the most highly technologically advanced nation in the world, has one primary solution for disposing of trash, the landfill. We utilize landfills for most of our waste disposal. They pollute the environment and are killing us. Landfills leak into our groundwater. They emit toxic gasses. The majority of the garbage we put into trash receptacles, including our curbside trash can goes to a landfill. The waste just sits and festers.
Food waste and single-use plastics are two major sources of trash. Food and yard wastes biodegrade and form methane, a greenhouse gas. Household items, clothing, disposable diapers, utensils, medical devices, trash bags, and packaging materials contain plastic. Plastic wastes do not biodegrade easily. It can take over 400 years for plastics to degrade.
One huge problem is recycling is declining. Communities should be encouraging and supporting recycling. In some communities, recycling programs are unavailable. Approximately, only 8% of plastic waste gets recycled. Recycling programs and incentives can get more people and businesses to increase recycling efforts.
An opportunity to reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfills is to compost food and yard wastes. However, not every city or town has a composting program. If there is a program, the community needs to become familiar and knowledgeable about composting. Unfortunately, we can expect some people will not always separate their food scraps or recyclables from their regular trash. Let’s get back to landfills.
Disposal of trash to a landfill is not a sustainable option. The trash just sits and pollutes as the landfill ages. Eventually, a landfill reaches its capacity. As a consequence, we need to build more landfills. Land should be for parks, schools, housing, or redeveloped for other commercial uses, not for more landfills.
Becoming mindful of products we purchase
Most of the challenges for waste disposal have to do with what we buy. Now is the opportunity for everyone to be aware of the environmental challenges created by the products we purchase and use. The vast majority of items we purchase are packaged in plastics and other materials. We also purchase products that are disposable or have a limited useful life, either they break easily or become obsolete. In the past, people used the same product for years. Today, similar products of the past must be replaced more frequently. This is not environmentally sustainable. Consequently, wastes generated from disposing of foods, disposable items, consumer products, and all associated packaging materials, impact the environment.
Electronic Wastes
The more electronic items we purchase, the more electronic waste we generate. We are constantly replacing computers, tablets, cell phones, TVs and other electronic products to stay updated or be compatible with the latest version of operating systems or new technological features. How many times did you have to replace your computer or cell phone? Why do consumers have to replace electronic hardware to connect to the internet or use updated software? As a consequence, we generate an enormous amount of electronic waste. This practice is not sustainable. To manufacture these devices, we use precious resources. Then we generate wastes that are hazardous to the environment. Electronic wastes are not to be disposed of in a landfill but must be recycled. There must be enough recycling facilities who can accept this type of waste.
Let the Manufacturers take responsibility
Why do consumers pay for the disposal of everything they purchase and not manufacturers? Would you agree that consumers should start requiring manufacturers and stores to be more accountable for the trash generated? Don’t put everything on consumers and municipalities. Disposal costs are enormous and the waste sent to the landfill sits in our backyards polluting. We need to make this issue a top priority.
Opportunities for waste disposal
We deserve a better planet and that starts with eliminating landfills. They are just examples of our hoarding and piling up everything we don’t want. If we are being responsible, we need to take the time to find ways to eliminate our waste. An effective approach is to start with Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This is a beginning, not an end.
Manufacturers and corporations MUST take responsibility for disposal as part of their marketing. They need to offer options for disposal or have take-back programs. The battery industry and to a lesser degree computer and cell phone industries initiated take-back programs. Stop lumping used goods on poor and small communities that cannot afford proper disposal. If we don’t get control of our trash it will impact the quality of life on Earth.
