How Do We Deal With Waste Today?

How Do We Deal With Waste Today?

Over the past few years, we have been moving towards more sustainable and environment-friendly waste disposal methods. Though technology has helped to increase the efficiency of waste management, no single procedure can guarantee 100 percent eco-friendliness. Better waste management should focus on minimizing the discarded amounts and finding opportunities to recycle as much as possible.

Waste Reduction The first set of techniques focuses on the reduction of the amounts of waste being produced. According to the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA), each person in the country produces an average of 4.5 pounds of solid waste per day. The US population exceeds 313.9 million people, so it is easy to do the math and see how unbelievable the amount of waste produced by a single country is. The manner in which we buy and use items results in the significant waste produced by each member of Western society. Repairing old items, giving them to friends or to charities and thinking twice before buying something can help for waste reduction. Encouraging Reuse Reusing and repurposing should be two major goals of contemporary waste management. Emphasis on such procedures will reduce the amount of waste even further. Many materials and old pieces can be reused. Metal, paper, old furniture and plastic can be turned into something new and interesting. The process should start at an early age, teaching children that old and broken pieces can be given a second life and a new purpose. Focus on Recycling Everybody knows and understands the importance of recycling. Statistics show that up to 80 percent of the trash we discard on a daily basis can be recycled. Each country has achieved a specific level of recycling. In Switzerland, 52 percent of all garbage is recycled, BBC reports. Austria, Germany and the Netherlands have high recycling rates of above 40 percent, as well. America has a recycling rate of 31.5 percent and its performance is similar to that of Sweden. Recycling does require resources, which means that it affects the environment. Still, the energy and the materials that are used in the process tend to be negligible in comparison to the resources needed for new production. If you live in a community that does not have a recycling program, you can approach officials and the local media to establish the foundations of good waste management opportunities. Ideas for Dealing with Organic Waste Organic waste is the one that most people discard since they believe that nothing could be done with this kind of garbage. The truth is that organic waste can be repurposed quite efficiently.

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Composting is a wonderful opportunity. Eggshells, food scraps, fruit and vegetable peels as well as coffee grounds can be transformed into a soil-enriching substance that is perfect for organic gardening. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is yet another way to increase sustainability and to lead a healthier life. Contemporary waste management has to be thoughtful. Having an idea about environmental impact and looking for ways to decrease the amount of garbage you produce can lead to incredible long term results.

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