Why is correct waste disposal so important?

Every year in England households and businesses create around 177 million tonnes of waste. Despite the fact that some of it is recycled, a large amount still goes to landfill, which is very damaging to the environment.

To reduce the impact on the environment, we should attempt to reduce how much waste we produce; a great way to achieve this is through a reduction in the amount that goes to landfill sites.

Local authorities and industries take waste to landfill sites, which are areas of land where waste from homes and businesses is compacted and buried. Normally, these sites contain commercial and household waste combined.

Landfill sites are necessary in order that disposal of rubbish which it is not possible to reuse or recycle can take place, but these sites should be considered as a last resort.

There are a variety of reasons we should try to reduce how much waste is sent to landfill sites. One of these is the fact that landfill sites will eventually reach capacity. Those sites which are full are capped with either a clay or plastic liner, then soil and finally grass, and cannot be used again.

Recent studies indicate that the landfill sites in Britain landfill sites will run out by 2018 if we do not reduce the rate at which they are being used and filled. In 2007, it was reported that an area the size of Warwick was being used by landfill sites.

Landfill sites are a threat to the environment. Carbon dioxide and methane are the harmful landfill gases created as biodegradable waste decomposes at the sites. These are also classified as ‘greenhouse gases’ making them more of a threat. In particular, methane causes many problems; because it is flammable, explosions and fires sometimes occur at landfill sites. At some landfill sites, these gases are used to generate electricity, whilst others burn the gas off.

Leachate, a polluting liquid run-off, is also created by landfill sites. This has to be collected and disposed of at wastewater plants. If the leachate gets into rivers and streams, it can cause considerable harm to wildlife.

Because materials are put into these holes in the ground, they cannot be used again. If reusable waste is buried, the raw materials to manufacture replacements have to be obtained again and again.

Local authorities provide recycling and food waste collection services, in line with government policy, in the hope of encouraging the public to properly sort their waste at home, thereby contributing overall to the reduction of waste that goes to landfill.

In addition, waste management companies are helping with this reduction by collecting waste from homes and businesses, and then sorting it accordingly; into landfill waste, recyclable waste, and combustible waste which is used to generate electricity.

Everyone can do their bit to sort and recycle waste at home and at work. This helps to save local authorities money, creating waste streams that are purer. Recycling at source in this way is easier and more cost effective, and as a result offers a better deal for the taxpayer.

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Why is correct waste disposal so important?



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