The Problems of Solid Waste Management

With the progress of the times, our life has become more diversified, and the amount and complexity of modern garbage are also increasing. It poses a huge threat to ecosystems and humans. Each year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste are collected worldwide, and the breakdown of organic components in solid waste is responsible for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Mismanagement of these wastes can lead to huge problems ranging from non-existent collection systems to ineffective disposal, tens of thousands of hazardous substances spread across millions of tons of waste such as paper, cardboard, food and yard waste, plastics, containers, and textiles. All of them are burned or buried in incinerators and landfills near you. Every landfill eventually leaks and the direct burning of this waste creates air pollution that can lead to a myriad of health problems, such as heart and lung disease, developmental delays, and respiratory problems, as well as brain, kidney, liver, and nervous system damage. On the other hand, open-air and live-buried garbage can lead to contamination of nearby drinking water and soil, which can spread disease and bring infection.

Our first solution is to reduce waste. Garbage is inevitable, but we must think hard about what to do with it. Compared with plastic bags which are difficult to degrade for hundreds of years, paper bags are more environmentally friendly and recyclable. Recycling saves a lot of resources. For example, for every ton of paper recycled, 17 trees and 50% of water are saved. On the other hand, recycling also creates more jobs: the industry employs 12 million people in Brazil, China, and the US alone.

Source: CLF: Municipal Solid Waste: What is It and Why is It a Problem?

UNEP: Solid waste management