How Improper Waste Disposal Impacts the Environment
Improper waste disposal can have a highly adverse impact on the environment and can cause a range of problems. In the UK, a significant amount of waste is disposed of in landfill sites. These are usually old quarries or designated areas of land that are dug up for this purpose. Eventually some of the waste rots, but that doesn’t happen with all of it. Even if the waste rots, it leaves a smell and generates methane gas, which is highly combustible. Methane emissions are a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Leachate is another pollutant that is a product of waste decomposition and can be harmful. Landfill sites that are badly managed can attract vermin and be a major source of diseases as well.
It is more important than ever now to dispose of waste properly. The best solution, in this case, is to hire a professional waste management company like JunkBusters . JunkBusters is rubbish removal company based in Birmingham, that ensures the disposal of waste in a way that protects the environment.
Here are some of the major environmental impacts of improper waste disposal.
Climate Change
Climate change is one of the major impacts of improper waste disposal. It is worrying that humankind has failed to implement some of the solutions developed to mitigate climate change. As mentioned above, methane emissions are a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. Open landfills are one of the major reasons for methane emissions, to the extent that they are responsible for 91% of landfill methane emissions. Waste is burned in open landfills which leads to extremely harmful levels of carbon dioxide emissions. Unfortunately, around 40% of the world’s waste is disposed of in this manner. This is one of the major reasons why the greenhouse effect is now becoming more pronounced than ever.
Impact of Food Waste In Landfills
Food waste that is disposed of in landfills decomposes, releasing methane gas. This decomposition of food waste is one of the major contributors to methane emissions. The reason why methane emissions are such a problem is that methane’s potency outstrips carbon dioxide’s potency by at least 84 times.
Impact of Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Electronic and electrical waste items can be highly detrimental to the environment. If improperly disposed of, it can cause significant air pollution. Moreover, electronic and electric items contain many materials that are hazardous to humans. Examples include mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium. Therefore, it is essential to dispose of electric and electronic waste properly, with a professional waste disposal company.
Impact on Marine Life
The adverse impact on marine life is one of the major consequences of improper waste disposal. Marine ecosystems greatly suffer from waste that is disposed of at sea. Aquatic lifeforms consume the trash upon which they die. Improper waste disposal is affecting many lifeforms, including turtles, seals, whales. Their bodies are incapable of breaking down the waste material, which is why they ultimately die from its consumption.
It is, therefore, crucial to ensure that the waste that we produce daily is dealt with appropriately so that our environment is not harmed. Reach out to us if you would like to know more!
