Role of Government in Waste Disposal

According to the U.K.'s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs website, disposal of waste is an important problem for governments at all levels. The majority of waste ends up in landfill sites, contributing to climate change and the production of greenhouse gases.

Waste

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that use and disposal of materials in the United States produces about 40 percent of the greenhouse gases created. Local and federal government attempts to create policies to divert waste from being deposited in landfills.

State

• State and local governments have a large role in educating their communities in the effective management of waste. The EPA explains that each state has an action plan for managing its waste into recycling and reuse, rather than disposal.

Actions

• The EPA explains that the role of government in waste disposal and management is to set policies, educate the community and create outreach programs. The Municipal Association of Victoria in Australia explains that each government is responsible for improving the methods of disposal available.