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[MARCH FREE REPORT] EFFECT OF INDISCRIMINATE SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ON THE ENVIRONMENT

by Godfred Owusu | 01-03-2023 06:41




Environment can be defined as the things that surround us. It consisted of natural environment and built environment. Natural environment also consists of flora and fauna and water bodies. 
Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste has become rampant in most countries in the world which hinder sustainable development. It is estimated that an average of 1.9 billion tons of solid waste is generated annually in most cities in the World. In Ghana, about 12,710 tons of solid waste is generated daily with only 10% collected and disposed at a designated dumping site. [Waste management 2015] Therefore, the rest of solid waste generated (90%) dump illegally on the environment which constitute huge effect on the environment. 

This is caused by overall solid waste products produces by manufacturing industries and rapid increase of population in the World. Manufacturing industries produces more which constitute overall waste production because World population is growing rapidly. Manufacturing industries produce more to meet the needs of this population to avoid shortage in the market. Due to designated dump site in most cities in the World, solid waste product consumes by the consumers disposed on the environment indiscriminately. 

The effect of this above cause of this problem has a negative impact on our environment. It contributes to water, land and air pollutions and environmental hazards such as earthquakes, flooding and tornados. Chemicals in the solid waste products affect the physical/ natural environment by contaminating ground water and soil. Chemicals contaminated by the soil decrease agricultural production because the chemicals do not support good health of the crops due to the loss of soil fertility. Solid waste can choke waterways which can lead to flooding. Also, during rainy season, solid waste dump indiscriminately on the environment can get into our water bodies which has a diverse effect on aquatic life/ life on, in and under the water bodies.

This problem can be solved through enforcement of legal laws by the various government. This is the fundamental in stopping indiscriminate solid waste disposal on the environment. Special task force like police can be ordered by the government to watch over site where indiscriminate dumping of solid waste on the environment. 

Also, provision of adequate designated dump site to our cities and communities to avoid indiscriminate dump of solid waste on the environment by considering the topography and wind direction of the area putting up dump site. 

THANK YOU