Learn More About
Trash Disposal
Q1: What exactly is trash disposal?
A: Trash disposal refers to the process of managing and getting rid of waste materials in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. It involves the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of various types of waste to minimize the negative impacts on human health, the environment, and surrounding communities. Efficient trash disposal practices aim to minimize the generation of litter through waste reduction and recycling, prioritize environmentally friendly methods, and ensure compliance with regulations to protect public health and the environment. It is important for individuals, communities, and governments to work together to implement sustainable waste management strategies and promote responsible waste disposal practices.
Q2: What are the effects of improper trash disposal?
A: Poor waste management can lead to multiple unwanted effects to our environment. From non-existing collection systems to ineffective disposal can cause air, water and soild pollution. Open and unhygienic landfills can cause drinking water pollution and may lead to infection and transmission of diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The spread of debris has polluted the ecosystem, and the hazardous substances in electronic waste or industrial waste have brought certain pressure to the health and environment of urban residents. In addition, improper garbage disposal can have a negative impact on the visual appeal of a region, damaging its natural beauty. This may have economic consequences, especially in tourist destinations that heavily rely on scenic attraction.
Q3: Why is trash disposal important?
A: As I said before, the effect that improperly disposed trash brings are one of the reasons why it is a serious issue. Of course, garbage that has not been properly disposed of can be fatal: such as harmful waste. Many hazardous wastes pose a direct threat to the health of anyone who may come into contact with them. This may be a chemical product or a contaminated solid, or anything in between. Therefore, it is very necessary to carry out appropriate and timely disposal. Hazardous waste can also cause harm to the environment. Chemicals such as mercury and silver are one of the common wastes generated by equipment used in doctors’ offices, which may pose serious health problems to wildlife. Research has shown that improper handling of hazardous waste can even affect the human body through channels such as drinking water and food. If hazardous waste is not properly treated, it can easily enter the environment we live in every day at an unexpected speed. Due to the above reasons, it should be taken seriously and properly handled.
Q4: What are the examples about improperly disposed trash around us?
A: For example, the trashes around the Danube River in Vienna. After interviewing people living there, I get to a surprising conclusion. There are pieces like furniture, shoes, broken glasses, and even clothes, even though Vienna is a generally clean city. Also, from observing, we can see that there are still people dropping litter and trash in public spaces and being irresponsible to the environment. Also, there are even metal tableware in the river or on the grass. It is estimated that 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected globally every year, and the decay of organic components in solid waste accounts for approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Q5: What can we do to help?
A: Firstly, the solution is to minimize waste as much as possible. In situations where waste cannot be avoided, recycling materials or remanufacturing and recycling waste into usable products. Recycling can save a lot of resources. Recycling is the most obvious alternative to sending waste to landfills. Multiple materials can be recycled to a certain extent, and recycling can even generate potential economic benefits. For example, for every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees and 50% of water can be saved. Wood products, metals such as steel and aluminum, plastics, and especially materials such as glass can be recycled to restore some of the benefits of old products. In addition, recycling has created job opportunities: in Brazil, China, and the United States alone, the industry employs 12 million people.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
BWS, “Why is it Important to Dispose of Waste Properly?”, BWS, February 05, 2018.
https://bwaste.com/resources/the-knowledge-center/articles-insights-and-updates/why-it-important-dispose-waste
EPA, “What can you do about pollution”, EPA, last updated July 14, 2022.
https://www.epa.gov/trash-free-waters/what-you-can-do-about-trash-pollution
MATERIALSRECOVERY, “Why is Correct Waste Management Important?”, MATERIALRECOVERY, Mar 28, 2022.
https://www.materialsrecovery.co.uk/blog/why-is-correct-waste-management-important#:~:text=When%20rubbish%20isn’t%20disposed,disposal%20helps%20to%20prevent%20this.
PANDA, “Trash, Garbage and Waste Removal Solutions that Don’t Involve a Landfill”, PANDA, Unknown date.
https://pandaenvironmental.com/Trash-Garbage-and-Waste-Removal-Solutions-that-Don-t-Involve-a-Landfill.htm
UNEP, “Solid waste management”, UNEP, Unknown date.
https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities/solid-waste-management#:~:text=Poor%20waste%20management%20%2D%20ranging%20from,cause%20infection%20and%20transmit%20diseases.
WHO, “Drinking Water”, UNEP, March 21, 2022
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water