Introduction
Most people do not care about the long term effects of poor waste management, which can lead to a number of issues including health and environmental problems. Waste management is about proper waste disposal and reducing, reusing and recycling garbage whenever possible. It has to be well thought out and planned in order to be effective.
Importance of proper waste removal
There are a few undeniable reasons that make disposing of waste properly important. When correct waste disposal methods are followed it has a positive impact on animal and marine life, the environment, natural resources and improves human health. Inorganic and non-biodegradable waste materials have a toxic effect and add to water and air contamination and soil erosion.
When our natural resources are contaminated it obviously has an effect on our lives and more so on animals and marine life. Animals are not immune to the effects of eating toxic products such as when they eat near landfills. It is the same with marine life who are at high risk of ingesting whatever they find floating in the water such as plastic and cigarette butts etc.
Skin irritations, respiratory issues are just two examples of the ailments that we are in risk of due to wrong waste disposal. Toxins and poisons enter our air, soil and waterways which then enter our bodies causing harmful effects.
We owe it to ourselves to look after our natural resources so that we are not overusing them and preserving whenever and wherever possible. Reusing and recycling are an effective way to conserve natural resources. Using recycled materials minimises the demand on natural resources.
Reasons why people neglect proper waste disposal protocols
Despite there being more awareness these days regarding proper waste removal some people and businesses are still genuinely unaware of the dangers of neglecting correct practices, when it comes to disposing of waste products. Unfortunately this is true even when it comes to toxic or hazardous waste materials which is quite dangerous.
There are those that consider the whole proper waste disposal ethic as an inconvenience and just do not make the effort to properly dispose of their waste. This is an essentially selfish way of thinking and all of us should take greater effort to value the impact we have on the planet and our fellow humans.
Then there are those who see no reason or benefit to changing their current waste disposal methods. Again, it is important to regularly update disposal methods to keep up with effective systems that provide positive benefits for all.
Reasons why you should care about proper waste removal
Environmental issues
We should never take clean water for granted. It is a life nurturing resource that we need to protect by ensuring that it does not go to waste or get contaminated. Similarly it is our responsibility to look after the environment and prevent or reduce pollutants that enter the air, water and soil. Landfills can create a greenhouse effect resulting in toxic gas emissions leading to climate change with natural disasters such as typhoons, severe storms and intense heat. When soil is contaminated it creates a chain reaction as the its biodiversity is altered which reduces its ability to act as a filer as the organic makeup is disrupted. Soil nutrients become imbalanced, and water stored in the soil becomes contaminated as well.
Health issues
Solid waste such as trash, discarded material and basically any type of garbage when not disposed of properly has negatively impacted our health in ways sometimes we do not even realise. As mentioned before, when water, soil and air are contaminated the pollutants can enter us. We might think it easier to burn a load of rubbish but that can result in direct harm to the environment and neighbouring communities. Waste can block drains which results in stagnated water which breeds disease such as diarrhoea, hepatitis and cholera.
Unpleasant surroundings
When rubbish is not cleared on a regular basis or disposed of correctly it not only causes harm to the environment and our health, but it also causes the surroundings to look neglected and unpleasant. Besides looking ugly it can also become a breeding ground for germs, toxic gases, pests and vermin.
Costs involved in mitigating damage caused by improper waste disposal
Another important reason to care about proper waste removal is that there are legislations that regulate correct waste management which stipulates that it has to be handled safely and within the law. There is a correct way to dispose of any waste produced and the responsibility is on each person to ensure that they dispose of their rubbish properly without causing harm to others or the environment. To fail to do so can lead to penalties and fines as well as the cost to remedy whatever adverse effects your neglect may have caused.
Conclusion
Establishing a proper waste removal management process will be beneficial from the very beginning, ensuring that you are within the law, that you are not harming animals, the environment or the health of others. Recycle waste is a good way to save money while being the smart way to deal with some of your rubbish. Now is the time to make sure you are following correct procedures and that you are doing your part for a healthier planet.
