The United States of America generates approx. 258 million tons of trash each year. A large percentage of garbage is the major contributor to landfills.
Basic information about Landfill?
A landfill is a site for the disposal of waste, dump, and garbage, etc. The sites are quite ugly where they harm the environment. Today, Landfills are a serious matter. Unless they are preserved, the landfills may experience soil liquefaction or severe shaking.
Out of 258 million tons of trash, only 34.6% of them get recycled, some get fired for energy and some are transferred to the landfills. Research shows that, In the US, the major portion of wastes is contributed to landfills. No need to think twice to appreciate Germany as the country recycles 68% of trash each year.
Health issues which are affected by landfill waste:
Issue#1 Greenhouse Gases:
Waste foods and Yard trash are organic components. These substances are compacted when they are thrown into landfills. Slowly this eliminates oxygen and causes the material to break down. By the time, the method generates methane, a type of greenhouse gas and harms human health.
A solution to manage greenhouse
The Ultimate solution to treat greenhouse gas like methane is to create new landfills with plastic membranes to catch methane in liquid form and prevent it to become a part of the air.
Issue#2 Leachate:
Leachate is a material that is dangerous to humans. When landfill splits down and water is drained through which it takes up toxins; that toxins are called leachate. You must be wondering what could be the biggest contributor to the leachate? The trash is dry enough to form leachate. Rain falling on the top of the landfill is the main contributor to creating leachate. The common chemicals found in leachate are-
- Organic Acids
- Aldehydes
- Alcohol
- Carbon Dioxide
- Methane
Leachate is a Big Issue unless it is Treated well!
How to Treat Leachate- Leachate is treated in two modes i.e. Biological Treatment and Chemical Physical Treatment-
- Chemical Physical Treatment- Wet oxidation methods can be utilized if it is possible to oxidize natural mixes. This incorporates initiated carbon adsorption, precipitation, flocculation and particle trade forms among others.
- Biological Treatment- It involves using various filters to remove elements like nitrogen and other biological compounds from wastewater.
Issue#3 Toxin:
A toxin is a significant hazardous substance. A lot of various trash materials that end up in the landfill contains Toxins. Eventually, the toxins seep and discharged into the groundwater which results in problems associated with health. Mercury is another poisonous material that has a significant negative impact on the environment and public health. The material comes from fluorescent lights and bulbs which in the end become the main contributors to public health.
A solution to Manage Toxins
How to Treat Toxins:
New landfills are constructed with artificial layers that would prevent material like mercury from entering into soil and groundwater.
The best way to prevent from landfill is not throwing waste. There are many companies like SwagCycle in the USA which brings you “No Use” branded merchandise, wasteful items and recycles, upcycles and donate them in an ethical, responsible and affordable ways.
