waste disposal
A collection of green glass bottles due to be recycled. In the last quarter of the 20th century, the benefits of reprocessing discarded paper, glass, tin and aluminium containers, and some plastics, became clear. But some developed countries such as the USA recycle far less waste than other countries, and conservationists must convince packaging producers that expensive reprocessing is worthwhile.
Depositing of waste. Modern methods of waste disposal are commonly referred to as waste management as they are increasingly using methods such as recycling that allows waste to be re-used and not simply disposed of. Methods of waste disposal vary according to the materials in the waste, and include incineration, burial at designated sites (landfill sites), dumping at sea, and reclaiming and recycling. Organic waste can be treated and reused as fertilizer (see sewage disposal). Nuclear waste and toxic waste are usually buried or dumped at sea, although this does not negate the danger (it simply removes it from the immediate vicinity of human habitation). Some types of nuclear waste are reprocessed to remove useful fissile components before being sent to long-term containment.
Environmental pollution
Waste disposal is an ever-growing problem. Environmental groups, as well as government initiatives, campaign for more recycling, encouraging changes in lifestyle so that less waste is produced and also disposed of more safely and efficiently.
Although incineration cuts down on landfill and can produce heat as a useful by-product it is still a wasteful method of disposal in comparison with recycling. For example, recycling a plastic bottle saves twice as much energy as is obtained by burning it.
| The main environmental impact for landfill sites is the potential for leakage of contaminants into the groundwater and air if the site is inadequately or poorly managed. The European Union introduced the landfill directive to reduce the amount of landfill used across its member states. The directive calls for a progressive reduction on waste sent to landfill, the reduction of biodegradable waste to 35% of 1995 levels by 2020, and to ban the co-dumping of hazardous with non-hazardous waste completely by 2004. |
| The presence of landfill sites or incineration plants can economically damage the area they are in, for example lowering house prices. As a consequence the establishment of these facilities is usually controversial and unpopular with the local population. The more acceptable, but more expensive, alternative solution is recycling. |
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