The Effects of Unsanitary Waste Disposal

Disposing off waste material is a cumbersome but necessary task for every community, organization and society. In civilized societies, systems and mechanisms are in place to properly dispose of domestic and industrial waste, paying attention to regulations and sanitation requirements. The disposal of waste in unsanitary or unhygienic conditions can lead to great health and environment problems. Food waste can be unsightly, unsanitary and smelly, and it can lead to diseases and epidemics if not disposed off properly.

Infections and Diseases

• Solid and fluid waste, if left in unsanitary conditions without proper disposal management, can cause diseases and lead to infections, even epidemics. Open dumpsters and uncontrolled garbage become breeding grounds for insects, pests, snakes and rats that can infect children who play near these areas or carry them into houses they frequent. Skin diseases, eye problems, diarrhea, typhoid, scabies, cholera, intestinal parasites are only some health risks that are created by the unsanitary disposal of waste.

Environmental Hazards

• Unsanitary waste disposal causes environmental pollution. On a small scale, food waste and other garbage from homes will litter a neighborhood waste disposal unit. On a large scale, industrial waste will choke up the oceans and destroy or degrade the environment. Water and air contamination and pollution is a direct result of unsanitary waste disposal. Waste dumping and incineration with no proper attempt to sanitize or consider the health risks of such disposal methods does not lead to solutions --- only to greater problems.

Unsightly and Unpleasant

• In urban areas, with the greater density of population and constant business activity, there is a greater risk of unsanitary waste disposal and its effects. Inappropriate disposal methods by people living in homes or working in offices or industries creates an environment that is concentrated filth. Waste is not just unhealthy --- it is unsightly, it ruins the visual beauty of a natural or man-made environment. It can lead to economic, social and cultural apathy --- if your surroundings are filthy, you will not be motivated to achieve personally or serve the community or public sector. Environmental waste has a ripple effect.

Solutions

• Steps need to be taken at an individual and government level to combat this problem if it exists and to prevent it if the scale is not alarming at present. Spreading awareness, installing effective and sanitary dumpsters with a proper disposal system, regularly monitoring and maintaining landfills and dumping sites are important ways to combat this universal problem. Taking up the problem on a legislative and government level and formulating and applying laws which penalize people who cause this sort of damage to the environment and human health may also be necessary.