First of all, disposal is part of a linear system which involves extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Each point on the linear system has a specific problem, but it is disposal that will be discussed here. Disposal means how to dispose of the waste created in the production of items of manufacturing. This rubbish is burned, dumped or recycling.( The Story of Stuff) The problem in the USA is that all the materials produced in the economy, including industrial production and houses waste finally is thrown away, and must be disposed in a landfill, or incinerator or by recycled. The problem in the USA is the large number of people live there and they have the largest ecological footprint in the world. The population in 2010 was above 310 million people for the USA. (Rosenberg, M., 2010)
Another important aspect is the problem of disposal on the environment in terms of pollution. For example, disposal has a big effect on water. The water table has been contaminated by pollutants such as heavy metals used in industry like tanning or other forms of manufacturing. Fish in rivers have been affected and this has resulted in the food chain being poisoned. Moreover, dumping industry waste into the environment means that the roots of plants will absorb the chemicals and the plants is eaten by animals. The further up it goes the more it is concentrated and human health is affected. Drinking water is also affected. The burning of waste creates greenhouse gases like CO2 and other chemicals to be released into the air which is harmful to people because it causes respiratory diseases like lung cancer and asthma, especially in the young. In addition, some products, like aluminum and plastics contain chemicals, so recycling these products in industries will also release harmful gases into the air. Air carries these released gases all around the USA and dioxin and other toxins build up in the food chain, but also causes climate change due to the increase in the ozone layer and this exposes us to problems such as skin cancer. Workers can be exposed to dioxins and toxics in factories and this also causes health problems. Most of these wastes pose hazards to the health of every human being. (Bassis, L. Waste Disposal)
There are solutions to the disposal of waste that can help resolve some of these difficulties. Waste disposal has been a big problem in the USA, so there are several methods of reducing this problem including, cleaner production and reusing. Cleaner production will result in the reduction of risks to the environment and humans. For example, cleaner production of products will decrease negative impacts in whole life cycle of the product, from first material extraction to its last disposal. Also, cleaner production will decrease the toxicity of the environment as a result.( What is Cleaner Production) In addition, reusing means that items will have a longer life cycle and be used several times rather than thrown away, so keeping the electrical costs down. For instance, making electrical items costs a lot of money and wastes energy also. Also, chemicals are released which affect our health and environment. This might involve upgrading an old computer by fitting a new ram memory, so they can use the computer for more than 8 years. Moreover, one government solution is to buy excess “real property”, so that will reduce the amount of waste disposal in USA. (How to Dispose of Federal Real Property, 2010, October 14)
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References
Bassis, L. (n.d.). Waste Disposal. University of Michigan. Retrieved December 15, 2010, from http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society
How to Dispose of Federal Real Property. (2010, October 14). GSA Home . Retrieved December 18, 2010, from http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content
Rosenberg, M. (2010, November 17). USA Population - The Current Population of the USA. Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. Retrieved December 18, 2010, from http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata
the story of stuff project. (n.d.). Disposal. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from storyofstuff.org/disposal.php
What is Cleaner Production. (n.d.). cambodian. Retrieved December 26, 2010, from www.cambodian-cpc.org/kh/Whatiscp.html
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