A lot of the environmental crises we experience today are mainly because of our inadequate solid waste management practices. Land, water, and air pollution, extensive fish kill, species extinction, frequent flooding, and global warming are on top of the environmental problems we currently face. These matters are forecast to worsen in the coming years if we don’t intensify our waste management efforts.
How Solid Waste Management Causes Climate Change
The main reason climate change exists is the tremendous amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere or the greenhouse effect. Like any other environmental problem, this greenhouse phenomenon stems from our improper solid waste management practices.
Improper Solid Waste Management and the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect results from the increasing amount of harmful greenhouse gases in the environment. These gases act as a blanket that prevents the sun’s harmful UV rays and heat from escaping the earth. As a result, we experience a significant increase in global surface temperatures and large-scale changes in our weather patterns.
As much as there are plenty of naturally-occurring sources of these toxic gases, a lot of anthropogenic and human-induced sources also exist. Organic rubbish, in particular, gives off high levels of carbon dioxide and methane as they decompose. Especially when they end up in landfills, organic waste produces a large amount of toxic landfill gases mostly made of methane.
And imagine how much organic waste we produce and the amount of greenhouse gases these tonnes of rubbish generate.
- In 2018-19, Australia generated around 14.3 million tonnes of organic waste, including food, garden, timber, and biosolids. Of this amount, about 6.87 million tonnes ended up in landfills.
- On average, Australia produces approximately 7.3 million tonnes of food waste, which is roughly around 300 kg per person.
- Food wastage is a worldwide problem, with nearly 33% of food going to waste.
- Around 8% of the global greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste.
How Can Solid Waste Management Remedy Climate Change
Our improper solid waste management practices contribute to climate change. Conversely, proper waste management can combat this phenomenon. The zero waste movement is a popular approach to properly deal with our household rubbish.
Reduce
One of the basic tenets of the zero-waste lifestyle is to reduce the waste you generate. This entails that you become a smart consumer, buy only the things you can consume, and avoid single-use items like plastics and foam food containers. In line with this, you should also reduce food wastage by eating everything on your plate, feeding your leftovers to pets, donating your excess food, and avoiding letting food in your pantry expire.
Segregate Rubbish Correctly
Segregating your rubbish at source is a crucial step in ensuring that all types of rubbish end up where they should be and that organic and liquid waste don’t contaminate your recyclable rubbish. If this happens, recyclable rubbish will not be any more viable for recycling and will end up in landfills together with biodegradable waste.
Compost
The best way to deal with your organic refuse, like food and garden waste, is to compost them. Not only will this process improve the quality and health of your garden soil, but it will also reduce the amount of rubbish deposited in landfills. Composting also minimises greenhouse gas emissions by aerobically breaking down the decomposing organic matter.
Conclusion
Proper management of our rubbish is the key to keeping the environment clean and safe for everyone. While this does not happen overnight, we need everyone’s participation so that the results may take effect sooner. By simply, living a zero-waste lifestyle, we can help minimise the waste that ends up in our landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Paul’s Rubbish Removal always practices proper handling and disposal of your household waste in Sydney. Because we care for the environment, we always collect, sort, recycle, and dispose of all your rubbish in the most sustainable and environment-friendly way. Not only that, we also work efficiently and thoroughly, so you don’t need to do anything at all. You can sit back and enjoy your day, as our expert team loads your rubbish onto our truck.
Furthermore, we are your reliable rubbish removalists. You can contact us anytime, and we’ll be at your doorstep within the hour for same-day rubbish removal. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 0407 125 125 or send us an email for a free quote.
