When I started this blog, my main goal was to write about frugal living, because I was broke, but I soon noticed how many of the frugal things I do also end up being much better for the environment. Less waste is both frugal and good for the planet. This article below is a breif summary of how all our throwing things out damages the environment.
The amount of waste produced in the USA is mind boggling.
The quantity of waste that is dumped in the landfills is even more appalling. Each year, millions of tonnes of waste are dumped in US landfills with dumpster rentals or other means.
Most of the waste dumped in local landfills is made up of organic matter. Such organic matter can stay in the landfills for a very long time. This organic matter often emits gasses that can have an adverse impact on the environment.
Landfills and Waste Management
Landfills are where our trash ends up. They're essentially dumps that fill up with garbage brought by dumpsters as time goes on. These landfills are essentially a resting place for all of our trash. But they don't stay there forever as such, as this trash naturally decomposes.
Landfills emit a number of different pollutants into the air. The most prominent is carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change and is harmful to the Earth's ecosystems.
However, landfills also emit methane which is a greenhouse gas that has a greater effect on climate change than carbon dioxide. Landfills also emit chemicals like dioxins which are harmful to human health. These chemicals can travel through water and air. Even if we live far from a landfill, the impact of these chemicals is harmful and can be detrimental to everyone’s health.
Gas Emissions Caused by Landfills
Landfill gas emissions are one of the issues which are causing irreparable damage to our environment.
In spite of the fact that we are under the umbrella of environmental protection, the fact is that landfills are the most significant source of trash emissions. Over the years, local authorities and private organizations have made a lot of effort to reduce the amount of emissions released by landfills.
A couple of years back, no one would have thought that landfills emit greenhouse gas that harm our environment. But the truth is that they do, and this gas is responsible for speeding up global warming and climate change. The solution to reducing landfill emissions is simple enough but is, unfortunately, not very feasible. What we have to do is to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Negative Impacts of Landfill Gas Emissions
The other problem with landfills is that they can leak, causing harmful contaminants to get into the water supply. The earth underneath the landfill can also collapse and sink, which can damage homes, roads and buildings that are above ground.
Soil movement isn't the only negative effect of a landfill, either. The greenhouse emissions from landfills are unhealthy for humans to breathe. Not only is it unsafe for nearby humans and animals, but it can also cause global warming.
Landfill Leakage
A landfill can be leaking. Perhaps it was slowly leaking for some time, or perhaps it just happened one day, the result of heavy rains that evening. Whatever the cause, the black sludge can seep through the cracks in the walls, sinking through the soil and into the groundwater.
The surrounding community's wells would begin to run dry. Then, it is only a matter of time before the sludge reaches a major water supply, and when the townspeople come to investigate the cause of the water shortage, they will find it is the landfill.
Clearly, landfills can leak. This can be a problem not only because it can damage the environment, but because its consequences can be costly. However, one of the most important things that can be done to make sure landfills are stable and won't leak is to have a landfill layout done according to the latest specifications.
In order to prevent leakage, it's important to have a system in place that allows for water runoff from the landfill. The best way to do that is by making sure that the landfill is built to prevent liquids from seeping through the ground and causing it to saturate the soil.
It's also important to make sure that any pipes or drains have watertight seals to prevent liquids from coming through. Essentially, if this is done correctly, there should be no way for toxic liquids to leak.
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Landfill Emissions:
If you are concerned about the environment the best way you can take action is to reduce the amount of waste you create. There are countless ways to achieve this. You can start by using reusable shopping bags, bringing your own water bottle, and using reusable/refillable containers. If you have a lot of junk at home, rent a roll-off dumpster to get rid of it all at once.
You should also get in the habit of composting your food waste. Composting is a process of breaking down organic material and making use of it to fertilize your plants. This process contributes to reducing your carbon footprint and will also encourage you to buy less products since the food will decompose much faster.
Using a combination of the following tips can help reduce the impact of the amount of waste and landfill emissions that you or your business produce. Electricity is responsible for much of the greenhouse gas emissions and associated waste, so take steps to reduce energy consumption by installing energy efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics when they are not in use, and turning down the thermostat during the cooler months.
Landfill gas emissions are a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. We can't continue to produce so much waste, especially in our digital age. We also can't afford to continue to damage our environment by releasing so many pollutants in the atmosphere.
