Waste Not, Want Not: The Implications of Household Waste
by Jenny Holt
The planet’s growing population and increasing appetite for resources transported waste to one of the biggest issues of today. And it’s not getting any easier! Waste disposal causes a wide range of environmental problems, as well as threats to human and animal life. If we don’t carefully manage and mitigate household waste, we will pollute our way to extinction.
Making the Environment Sick
One of the most common waste disposal methods is burying rubbish in landfill sites. Some of the waste will rot down, but this generates methane gases. Methane gas contributes to global warming through the greenhouse effect. Plastics and other synthetic materials do not decompose easily or swiftly. These materials cause many environmental problems, including killing the sea-life that ingest it. Every piece of plastic ever made still exists – just look at and an area in the Pacific Ocean where rubbish has collected is twice the size of Texas.
Poorly managed drainage and leaching from landfill sites may mean chemicals produced during decomposition escape into the water cycle. This causes pollution and environmental damage to river systems and the wildlife which inhabits them. Nearby soil is also affected, which in turn will have an impact on the plants which are grown in it and the animals or people who eat them.
Incineration of waste is one alternative to landfill, but this comes with its own problems. The burning of plastics produces highly toxic substances such as dioxins, which contribute to air pollution and results in issues like acid rain. Ashes from the incinerator also enter the water system and soil, and are full of heavy metals such as lead and zinc which disrupt the balance of these ecosystems.
Making You Sick
There is also evidence that the fumes from incineration cause health problems for humans. The dioxins produced from this method of waste disposal are known to increase cancer risk in humans, and both Nitrogen Oxide and Sulphur Dioxide cause respiratory problems.
This is not the only effect household waste has on health though – even before the rubbish leaves your home, it has the potential to pose risks. A rubbish bin is an ideal climate for bacteria to develop and flourish, and there is also an increased chance of flies or vermin being attracted to your home. It is important to store it properly and try to minimize the amount you generate.
Making Your Pet Sick
The same risks are true for any pets in the household. Animals are unaware of the potential toxic dangers presented by garbage. And being naturally curious, they are attracted to digging through the trash for a tasty treat. You might be aware of sharp hazardous objects like cans, but think about the other things pets might encounter in a rubbish bin: medication, cleaning products, batteries, and of course bacteria. This is a leading cause of health concerns among pets. Even a teaspoon of antifreeze or bleach can cause irreversible damage! So reducing the amount of rubbish you create and storing it safely is vital for the health of your best friend and loving pet.
Making a Difference
All resources on our planet are under pressure! Mass disposal to landfills is incredibly wasteful and terribly toxic. Fear not, small changes can be made in the home to reduce the amount of household waste created. One example is making the switch from single-use disposable items to reusable ones, like canvas shopping bags. This will save resources, energy, and money, all while lessening your environmental footprint. These small incremental steps lead to large environmental improvements that will preserve our planet for future generations.
