A large portion of the world’s waste is mismanaged. This can cause many problems, from soil and water pollution to air contamination.
Every piece of trash has a lifelong impact once it leaves our hands, from dead batteries to a rotting baby diaper. Learn how improper waste disposal is harming the environment, and take action by contacting your city leaders and business owners.
Water Pollution
When trash is carelessly tossed on the ground, it can cause erosion, contaminating local water sources. This is a massive problem because plants, animals, and humans rely on clean water to survive. Pollutants poured into the ground or local waterways can kill plants, clog drains, and ruin water quality. Additionally, microplastics can be ingested by marine life and cause liver damage in fish.
Chemicals, oil, and other substances poured into the ground can also end up in the waterways. When this happens, it creates pollution that harms human health and the ozone layer. In addition, it causes the breakdown of waste that releases greenhouse gases into the air.
Despite the seriousness of this issue, there are many things you can do to help make an impact on the environment. One of the best ways to do this is to use a waste disposal service, RoadRunner Recycling, that accepts hazardous waste and recycles it as much as possible. You can also take steps to conserve energy and encourage others to do the same.
Air Pollution
From dead batteries that leach toxic chemicals to the sea, destroying marine life, and animals dying from eating hazardous wastes that end up in their bodies, there is no shortage of adverse effects on the environment caused by improper waste disposal. This can include drinking contaminated water, contracting diseases from inhaling toxins, and soil contamination due to the build-up of chemical waste materials in the ground.
In addition, burning waste in landfills releases harmful gases into the air, deleting the protective ozone layer and creating methane gas, a greenhouse gas. This can lead to global climate change, negatively impacting all life on Earth, including humans.
Besides the apparent ecological damage, many legal issues arise from breaking environmental laws. Businesses that violate these rules face severe fines and a tarnished reputation in the community that can ruin their business and put them out of business. This is why a good waste management service can save your company from the pitfalls of poor waste disposal practices.
Soil Contamination
The most devastating impact of improper waste disposal is soil contamination. It occurs when dangerous chemicals seep into the ground and contaminate any plants that come into contact with them. These contaminants can then be eaten or inhaled by humans and cause serious health problems. This is a critical issue because soil is the lifeblood of all fruits, vegetables, and crops.
Land pollution also negatively impacts animals, both wild and domestic. From sea turtles dying because of plastic in the water to animals ingesting Styrofoam or cigarette butts, many species suffer from human carelessness with garbage and waste.
Unfortunately, many people and businesses lack the resources, professionals, or infrastructure to dispose of waste properly. This often results in hazardous waste being dumped into a landfill or other area without proper processing. As trash and other debris pile up in these spaces, they create sites that can no longer serve a purpose for the surrounding environment. This is a massive reason we should be conscious of where our waste ends up and do what we can to protect the environment for future generations.
Health Issues
The toxic fumes emitted from burning waste in open pits can cause health issues for those involved. They can also affect people living in the area, especially children and elderly individuals. Depending on the chemicals, these fumes can lead to respiratory problems, nausea, and vomiting.
Animals can be negatively impacted by improper waste disposal as well. They may ingest poisons from old batteries or dead animals that are left around. They can also die from drinking contaminated water or breathing polluted air.
The biggest issue that results from poor waste disposal is the spread of infectious diseases. The blood, body fluids, and secretions found in the bio-medical waste can harbor bacteria, viruses, and parasites transmitted to other humans through direct contact. These infections include HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhea, and whooping cough. Many of these diseases can be avoided with better waste management practices.
Environmental Damage
Whether the dead batteries you toss into the trash or the dirty diapers sent to the dump, every piece of waste we create has consequences for our world, whether these consequences are immediate or long-term, we all must take steps to ensure our waste disposal practices are safe and sustainable for the planet.
Air pollution is one of the most significant problems created by improper waste disposal. When items like batteries and plastics end up in landfills, they break down and release harmful gases into the air. These gases build up in the atmosphere and trap heat, which causes global climate change.
Landfills also serve as a breeding ground for significant diseases. Contaminated soil can host all kinds of horrible bacteria and viruses that can be transferred to plants, animals, and people.
Improper waste disposal can also affect animals that eat or graze around garbage piles. These animals can become sick or even die from eating poisonous chemicals or ingesting toxic substances found in the garbage piles they find themselves in.