Nature has been dwindling day by day, and one of the most impactful factors is improper waste disposal.
Waste management has become a critical issue in the past few decades. It affects not only the environment but also living health and overall quality of life.
Even though several waste disposal services like Bulk Waste Pickup are playing a part in minimizing the impacts of waste on nature, however, these efforts can only be as impactful as they can be; what we need is awareness on an individual level.
In this guide, we’ll learn what type of waste is harmful and how improper waste disposal is impacting our environment:
Types of Waste
Before we dial into the impacts of waste mismanagement, it’s important to understand what types of waste exist today.
- Industrial Waste: The waste produced by factories and industries, often containing chemical substances injurious to living being’s health.
- Municipal Solid Waste(MSW): Household trash, including scraps, paper, plastic, and other metal waste.
- Hazardous Waste: Chemical waste, electronics, and batteries.
- Biomedical Waste: Waste produced by hospitals and medical facilities, including used needles and bandages.
Each type of waste needs proper care and management to dispose of without imposing environmental contaminants. Remy takes the rubbish and can help in this regard. Their professionals are experts in handling each type of waste with proper care and preventive measures to avoid impacts on the environment.
Environmental Impacts of Waste Mismanagement
Improper waste disposal can impact the environment and Mother Nature in more ways than one. Here are a few major impacts that are harming on a global level.
Soil Contamination
To begin with, waste dumps here and there are impairing the vitality of soil. Harmful chemicals and non-biodegradable elements seep into the soil to enhance its acidity and impair proper air circulation.
This contamination can not only disrupt the growth of plants and vegetation but also introduce toxins into the food chain.
On the other hand, electronic waste releases heavy amounts of metals into the soil, severely damaging its quality. Plants take up heavy metals, and ultimately, humans and animals are influenced by consumption.
Water Pollution
One of the most common sources of water pollution is industrial waste. The duping of industrial waste into the water bodies leads to serious contamination with toxins and heavy chemicals. The contaminated water into the rivers or lakes ultimately flows down into the oceans, thus impacting the sea and land life simultaneously.
The population living around the commercial areas is even more susceptible to the impacts of water pollution. There have been several case studies that show increased cancer and mortality rates among the towns that reside near industrial areas.
Besides the chemical and toxic waste, the presence of sharp metals and plastics in the water can also harm aquatic life and marine animals.
Air Pollution
Trash piles release various gasses due to biodegradation; these gasses, although naturally safe, can combine with several waste chemicals and metals to form harmful gasses that seep into the air to pollute it.
Burning of waste heaps in several backward areas of developing countries is a common occurrence. The lack of proper waste management infrastructure is a major factor that encourages such types of activities.
The burning process releases harmful pollutants into the air such as Furnas, dioxins, and particulate matter. These pollutants enhance the chances of production of smog, thus impairing the air quality.
Health Risks
An amalgam of all the above environmental impacts is ultimately harmful to living beings. Improper waste management poses significant health risks to us, thus reducing human life expectancy to a minimum.
Exposure to hazardous waste not only enhances respiratory problems but also leads to several skin and organ infections. The probability of cancers has also spiked in the past few decades owing to the increase in soil, air, and water pollution.
This deteriorating quality of human life is concerning and needs to be addressed globally.
WildLife Impact
Environmental factors not only impact human life but animals are just as vulnerable. They often mistake waste for food, thus leading to the ingestion of toxins. Several animals often find food scraps in the piles of waste and trash cans. Other waste materials can harm their digestive systems and, ultimately, health.
Marine animals, on the other hand, frequently ingest plastics due to water pollution. This can lead to various internal injuries, starvation, and ultimately death.
Guide to Proper Waste Management
Proper waste management begins with your own home; the more you pay attention to proper waste disposal at your home, the more you get inclined to keep your community and, thus, your city clean and free from waste pollution.
Here’s what you can do:
Reduce Waste: It is better to opt for biodegradable packaging to reduce plastic waste. Opt for products with minimal packaging and avoid single-use products.
Recycle: Separate your waste based on its ability to be recycled. Keep the soft waste like paper, plastic, and glass away from the recyclable material.
Dispose of Hazardous waste properly: Electronics like batteries, paint, and other chemicals need to be disposed of carefully; read local guidelines to know what you can do.
Conclusion
Waste mismanagement has serious negative impacts on the environment, nature and also living organisms. However, with proper education, awareness, and infrastructure, we can come together to mitigate pollution.
Each small step counts, So take your step and encourage others to do the same.