| Rubbish, garbage, trash, junk, litter, refuse; we | | | | need to consider where and how we dispose of |
| throw stuff out every day and nearly every | | | | things. |
| aspect of our modern life creates some form of | | | | When we clean our homes and ourselves the |
| waste. We throw waste in the bin and we wash | | | | products we use end up as waste washed down |
| waste products down our drains when bathing | | | | the drains and into sewers or septic tanks. |
| and cleaning. But, we live on a finite planet and all | | | | Sewerage waste is treated which changes most |
| the waste we are creating is having a very real | | | | of that waste to carbon dioxide and water with |
| and negative impact on the Earth. | | | | some minerals, waste elements and |
| Our waste can be recognised as either | | | | non-biodegradable materials left over. The treated |
| biodegradable or non-biodegradable and this can be | | | | water is then pumped back into a river or ocean. |
| a useful distinction when we consider our product | | | | This means that the non-biodegradable matter in |
| choices and our waste disposal. | | | | the products we use may eventually end up as |
| Biodegradable Materials | | | | pollution in our waterways. |
| Biodegradable matter is generally material from an | | | | A great deal of our household and commercial |
| organic origin that when disposed of will | | | | waste ends up in landfill sites which are large holes |
| decompose by a natural process. This means it | | | | in the ground filled with all kinds of rubbish. Or in |
| will breakdown and decay into simpler forms of | | | | certain areas where there is no space for landfill |
| matter. | | | | waste is burned, both practices are damaging to |
| The process of decomposition is essential within | | | | the environment. Luckily we are able to reduce |
| the natural environment for new growth and | | | | the amount of waste that ends up as landfill or in |
| development of living organisms; it is the way | | | | incinerators by recycling and composting. |
| nature is able to recycle the finite matter of the | | | | But this means we must dispose of our rubbish |
| living world. When organic matter breaks down it | | | | thoughtfully. When recyclable or biodegradable |
| returns energy and materials used by nature to | | | | materials are not disposed of properly and end up |
| generate more energy and organic materials. This | | | | as landfill or incinerated they contribute to the |
| is the process by which the planet is able to | | | | mass of non-biodegradable and polluting waste; |
| sustain life. | | | | their potentially reusable and sustainable properties |
| Biodegradable matter is any food scraps, garden | | | | lost. |
| waste, or materials or products made from plant | | | | It is important to try and ensure any |
| or animal derived substances or artificial | | | | biodegradable waste is composted and does not |
| man-made materials that are similar enough to | | | | end up in landfill. Landfill is designed to inhibit the |
| organic matter and thus can still be broken down | | | | natural process of decay as uncontrolled |
| by a natural process. | | | | decomposing waste can contribute to ground |
| Non-biodegradable Materials | | | | water pollution, methane gas emission and |
| Non-biodegradable material is in-organic or | | | | unstable sub-soil conditions. It has been discovered |
| man-made matter that will not decompose. Any | | | | that many organic materials are "mummified" by |
| material that is non-biodegradable does not decay | | | | the conditions of landfill and do not appear to |
| or breakdown into simpler forms of matter. | | | | breakdown or only at a vastly diminished rate. |
| This means that when disposed of by us, nature | | | | How can we improve our methods of waste |
| cannot reuse these materials to fuel the cycle of | | | | disposal? |
| life and it will remain as pollution in the | | | | - In order to ensure biodegradable waste is |
| environment. It also means, all the resources and | | | | disposed of correctly when need to support |
| energy used to make the material in the first | | | | composting through our local councils or within our |
| place, are trapped within the waste. Because | | | | own homes and communities |
| nature cannot breakdown the material; the | | | | - Create your own compost bin, one that suits |
| matter and energy cannot be reclaimed and | | | | your space, needs and lifestyle; we can all |
| reused by the environment to generate more | | | | compost our kitchen and garden scraps and even |
| organic matter and energy. | | | | newspaper and paper products |
| Relying on non-biodegradable materials and | | | | - Avoid throwing away any materials that can be |
| ingredients is an unsustainable and polluting | | | | reused or recycled. Insure where available they |
| practice. It traps resources and energy that can | | | | end up in a recycling facility |
| not be re-claimed in materials that cannot be | | | | - Look for cleaning products that clearly state |
| broken down. Resulting in masses of polluting | | | | certified biodegradable ingredients |
| substances and rubbish that cannot every truly | | | | - Look for certified biodegradable alternatives to |
| be digested by the planet. | | | | disposable plastic items |
| Fortunately we are able to recycle some | | | | - Reduce consumption of non-biodegradable |
| non-biodegradable waste. Meaning the materials | | | | products by limiting our dependency on plastics, |
| can be reused to make new products and | | | | including disposable goods, shopping bags, |
| materials. This saves natural resources and | | | | packaging and wrapping |
| reduces the impact of the vast amounts of | | | | - Purchase goods made from recyclable materials |
| in-organic waste ending up as landfill and pollution | | | | and always reduce, reuse and recycle |
| throughout the world. | | | | By moving away from a reliance |
| Where does our waste go? | | | | non-biodegradable ingredients and materials we |
| Our waste can end up in a number of places; | | | | can reduce the amount of toxic waste clogging up |
| landfill and incineration, recycle centres, sanitary | | | | the Earth. If we consider the impact of our |
| sewers or septic tanks, as compost or as litter | | | | product choices and dispose of our waste with a |
| and pollution in both our natural environment and | | | | little more care, we can improve the sustainability |
| urban towns and cities. In order to reduce the | | | | and limit the negative effects of our modern |
| negative environmental impact of our waste we | | | | disposable lifestyle. |