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Problems With Trash Disposal

Both air and water pollution have become harmful. Current means of trash disposal result in considerable harm to plants, animals and humans. Humans must either properly dispose of certain materials or stop using them. If something is not done about the amount of pollution in the earth's atmosphere, there will be dire consequences in the future.

  1. Landfills

    • Most local trash ends up in a public landfill, where it is usually compacted or turned into fertilizer. However, some trash is not biodegradable. Entirely synthetic material cannot be broken down into organic matter; it can only be recycled and used again or sent to a specialized dump station that disposes of these non-biodegradable materials properly.

    Incinerators

    • Nonbiodegradable trash is typically taken to an incinerator where it can be burned in a furnace, therefore eliminating it, with the exception of the poisonous gas and ashes that remain. However the toxic fumes emitted from the incinerator are harmful to most plants and animals, including human beings. This atmospheric pollution does not stay in one area, and the accumulation of various toxic emissions from various trash incinerators affects the whole planet.

    The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

    • Nonbiodegradable trash that hasn't been incinerated or compacted typically finds its way out into the ocean. The so-called "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" is an island of trash that has reached nearly the size of Texas and has recently become dense enough to support human weight. As long as trash continues building and being washed out to sea, the problem will continue to grow. This can and already has had a detrimental effect upon marine life, such as chemicals from the debris seeping into the ocean and poisoning some of the sea creatures. Reportedly, marine life can become caught or tangled in the trash and become injured or die.

    Collected Pollution

    • For all the trash that citizens simply relocate or incinerate, more pollution is created. This pollution has resulted in mutation, birth defects and even advanced stages of cancer. This pollution ends up in the air and more detrimentally in water used for drinking and washing.

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