THE IMPACT OF SOLID WASTE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The massive population growth plus the strong industrialization process has led to many negative impacts on the environment. In particular, the worrying problem is that solid waste is increasing rapidly in quantity and type. What is the impact of solid waste on the environment and life? I am going to support some details through the report below.

Solid waste is generated from many different sources such as:

·       Industrial activities: Product production process, fuel burning, product packaging, wood, rubber plastic, excess food.

·       Agricultural activities: Agricultural waste from cultivation, animal husbandry, seasonal harvesting process.

·       Construction activities: The debris of steel, bricks, concrete, cement, mortar lime, gravel or old equipment is no longer used.

·       Social Activities: Food waste, paper, plastic, fabric, metal, bottle shells, diapers.

How does solid waste affect the environment? In my opinion, there are FOUR main affects:

1.       Causing climate change (greenhouse effect)

Solid waste is one of the causes of climate change. The emissions of methane into the air of solid waste burial sites are the cause of the earth hotter. Organic waste decomposes anaerobic at landfills to form methane gases. Up to 18% of the total amount of Mexican involved in the global warming. Methane can retain heat in the atmosphere is 23 times higher than that of carbon dioxide (CO2).

2.       Affect water quality

Solid waste adversely affects the water source through leaks of garbage from burial sites into water. During the decomposition solid waste, if it comes into contact with water it will dissolve and produce polluting liquid called wastewater or leachate. The leachate flowing into the water will cause toxins to live in the water and increase the volume of sediment to dredge each year.

3.       Impact on carbon emissions

According to the report of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, each year, the amount of daily-life solid waste is over 12 million tons. Up to 90% of the total amount of solid waste is treated by the burial method. Carbon density in the air increases every year. Specifically, the amount of CO2 emissions causing greenhouse effects from burial sites increased from 6.5 million tons in 2014 to 8.1 million tons in 2017.

4.       Affect human health

The landfill is a physical environment for organic substances in waste to decompose, rotting, fermentation, causing unpleasant odors. Therefore, bacteria and pathogens have conditions for growth and development. This is the cause of respiratory, bronchial, lung disease and the risk of cancer. To limit the negative effects of solid waste into the environment, there are many treatments such as biological incubation, burial, burning, recycling, and pyrolysis.