Garbage Contamination, Causes, Effects and Solutions -

Definition of Garbage Contamination

Pollution by garbage is one that involves damage to soil, air, and water by the accumulation of unwanted waste. It is considered that garbage is made up of waste deposited incorrectly and concentrates both solid and liquid waste.

The generation of garbage is an inevitable consequence of human activities, but unfortunately, all garbage causes negative environmental impacts and, in general, can contaminate any environment of any environment: homes, offices, factories. Today, human beings are plagued by dangerous residues.

The amount and type of garbage depend on each region or country. Still, consumerism and the number of inhabitants are related to the amount of garbage that is generated, so contamination becomes a bigger problem.

Garbage Contamination

Causes of Garbage Contamination

Garbage pollution is one of the most visible effects of human occupation on the planet, but this does not mean that the simple fact of populating it contaminates. The main cause of contamination by garbage is, as already mentioned, the inadequate handling of the waste.

There is much more behind a bad garbage organization, of course. This contamination is a complex problem that begins with the manufacture of products since the creation process also originates byproducts that can be solid or organic waste.

Frequently, when a country grows economically, the demand for consumer goods grows, which are replaced every so often. When they are finished, what is the use? Effectively, throw them into the wastebasket, which will go to a landfill. However, a lot of trash does not go to the baskets, but it can be thrown into the open air, contaminating the soil, the water, and consequently, the air.

Sometimes garbage that ends up in the ground or in water can decompose and emit gases like methane; this means that garbage has the ability to contaminate the three basic environments of life on Earth.

The Main Sources of Contamination by Garbage are:

Industries
Medical centers
Houses
Shops

Effects of Garbage Contamination

The pollution caused by garbage can affect the visual image of nature, as well as the health of living beings. The surface of the water is contaminated by the waste thrown into it, but the truth is that the toxic substances that emanate from the waste negatively alter its composition, and since it is consumed by plants, animals, and humans, it causes serious diseases. Also, pollution in the air and soil modify its composition and can hinder the growth of life.

On the other hand, accumulated garbage attracts insects and other undesirable animals, becoming a source of infection that makes people sick. The management of tons of garbage also constitutes high costs to governments.

Possible Solutions of Garbage Contamination

It should be underlined that attempts to eliminate garbage through landfills do not constitute a true solution to avoid contamination. Instead, the migration of biological compounds to other environments contaminates not only the soil but also water and air. Neither the burning of garbage is a solution, in view of the gases that are fired into the atmosphere.

The best solutions are related to the handling of waste products. Therefore, education in waste management becomes indispensable as the world population grows and concentrates on teaching three activities: reduce consumption, recycle products and reuse them. From a broader perspective, some governmental environmental conservation departments focus on attacking the problem from the manufacture of goods, modifying the packaging, and incorporating into the industrial infrastructure elements that facilitate recycling and reuse.

Pollution by garbage is not a problem that should be underestimated because the ecological implications are large and potentially negative.