Hazardous Waste Management, Essay Example

Global warming, ozone depletion and the constant organic pollutions are one of the biggest problems our planet is facing today. “The US is one of the world’s leading garbage producers. Our unnecessary wastefulness is creating a deadly brew.” (Guardian Newspaper) Environmentally safe practices in and outside of community as well as at home allow protecting ourselves from the effects of the toxic substances. Improper trash disposal practices are sources of the environmental health hazards in the country. Untreated and unprocessed sewage is the host of various bacteria that is responsible for different infectious diseases. The danger of unattended trash greatly threatens children who are quick to pick up the microbes. “No vacant piece of land is safe, no scenic picnic spot immune.” (The New York Times)

In case of the force major events such as tornados or earthquakes, unattended trash can result into infectious hepatitis, dysentery or cholera that have a tendency to rapidly spread and effects hundreds of people. What may seem to be a small untouched garbage bag, during the natural disasters greatly multiplies its effects. People, who will be occupied with rescuing others under the ruins, simply will not have time to prevent dangers that can be caused by trash. Hazardous nature of garbage combined with the destroyed logistics infrastructure will result into possible epidemics. Thus, it is essential to take all the necessary preventive measures in order to limit improper trash disposal becoming a number one reason of people’s illnesses and deaths.  And most importantly people should do it altogether because “reducing usage of plastic bags and dutifully filling one’s compost bin won’t have a global impact.” (The Observer)

Works Cited

Drabble, Margaret. “There’s no such place as away.” The Observer. 27 December 2008: C2

Kapur, Akash. “Drowning in a Sea of Garbage.” The New York Times. 22 April 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/23/world/asia/23iht-letter.html?scp=3&sq=improper%20trash%20disposal&st=cse

Walshe, Sadhbh. “America is a toxic dump.” Guardian Newspaper. 2 October 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/oct/01/us-garbage-carbon-emissions-environment