GeneralWaste Systems & Recycling

Simple Ways to Reduce Waste in Landfills

Disposing of garbage in landfills is a common practice in many countries around the world and it’s done by burying it in the ground. Needless to say, this is an environmental hazard since most of the waste is non-biodegradable, that is, it can take thousands of years to disintegrate. But guess what, there’s something you can do about it. The solution to reducing waste in landfills lies with you.

And it’s not rocket science:

Recycle

Items such as plastic, paper, glass and aluminium cans can easily be recycled. Dispose of them correctly in the recycle bins. You can even have your own recycle bin at home and sensitise your family on correct disposal.

Boycott plastic bags

When you go shopping, make use of a reusable bag as opposed to plastic bags. In the UK, over 10 million plastic bags are made annually. Plastic is one of the materials that take thousands of years to decompose so using reusable bags would have a significant impact on the environment.

Composting

You should dispose of organic materials from your kitchen in your garden. Decomposing organic remains can be used as fertiliser instead of being sent to the landfills.

Use rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable batteries are not only cheap but can be used hundreds of times over. Disposable batteries have corrosive chemicals that are toxic to the environment.

Reduce junk mail

You can opt not to receive unwanted mail by contacting the relevant authorities available in your area. This will reduce unnecessary disposal of papers.

Sensitize on benefits of reducing waste

Let others know about ways to reduce waste. You could even participate in pro-recycling talks. Collective effort can make a world of difference.

Food Management

You can reduce the amount of food you throw away by doing the following:

-Food that is left over should not be immediately disposed of. You can combine it with the next meal which may turn out to be an excellent side dish.
-Before shopping, check what you have stored so that you can avoid buying unnecessary food.
-Check for expiration dates on your foods and consume those with a shorter shelf life to avoid disposing of them when they go bad.
-Use measuring equipment when cooking to avoid cooking more food than is necessary.
-Invest in storage containers for refrigeration to keep foods fresher for longer.

The benefits of waste reduction are innumerable and below are just a few of them:

-Reduces the strain on finite resources.
-Reusing products reduces financial obligations on consumers.
-Reduces soil pollution caused by landfills.
-It is beneficial to the health of people and microorganisms that are put at risk by landfills.

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

Back to top button