The Effects Of Improper Waste Disposal On The Environment
Mankind and the environment have always enjoyed what can only be called a tenuous relationship. For centuries and well into the first half of the 20th century, waste products were simply dumped into a landfill. Once buried, little thought went into how these substances were impacting the local environment, the water table and nature as a whole. Harmful chemicals such as mercury, lead and arsenic were simply thrown away. They were truly "out of sight, out of mind". Of course, this led to grave consequences and some of these are still being felt today. What are the effects of improper waste disposal to the environment and more importantly, how can effective waste management techniques help to protect future generations?
Direct Environmental Impacts
Let's imagine for a moment that you disposed of your household waste in the back garden. Electronics, food, organic products and construction materials are simply buried in the ground and covered with a thin layer of topsoil. Would you allow your children to play in such an area? Of course not. Now, let us think about what would happen if entire communities and regions followed these same practices.
The environment is a very delicate system and it was not meant to handle man-made products such as batteries, plastics and similar materials. The direct environmental impacts associated with poor disposal practices can include:
- The release of potentially dangerous gases such as methane.
- The leaking of cancer-causing chemicals directly into the water table.
- The death of marine creatures, animals and other types of wildlife.
We should also keep in mind that excess waste can block drainage systems and cause running water to pool and to become stagnant. This is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and pathogens such as cholera. In fact, this is the very same reason why major waterways such as the Thames and the East River of New York were considered dangerous for decades.
The Effect of Waste on Environment & Health Concerns
Before the advent of modern and effective waste management techniques, many societies would burn their rubbish just outside of town. Perhaps the most notable example is the ancient valley of Gehenna just outside of what is today Jerusalem. Waste was incinerated here 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Some actually believe that the modern concept of hell was derived from this location due to the harmful smells and noxious gases. It should therefore be clear that there is a bit more than initially meets the eye in terms of the effect of waste on environment & health issues. Just how serious are the potential consequences?
The fact of the matter is that while the direct effects of poor waste management are severe enough, the long-term results are just as worrying. Landfills containing carcinogens are associated with higher levels of cancer. Dangerous amounts of lead within drinking water can cause birth defects, developmental issues in children and even death. The burning of plastics and other toxic materials can have a massive impact upon the respiratory system while the release of methane into the environment will undoubtedly contribute to climate change. The release of mercury can cause higher concentrations of lead within the fish that we consume. Not only do all of these scenarios affect our short-term health, but long-term concerns are just as real. This is why it is so very important that the effects of improper waste disposal to the environment are understood by everyone.
Embracing the Informed Edge
Thankfully, we have come a long way over the past 50 years. Different products are disposed of in different ways. Plastics and metals can be recycled so that they are used in new items. Potentially harmful items such as batteries and electronics are broken down into their basic components so that they are rendered harmless. Once again, the materials contained within will be recycled. Other products which pose a direct threat to our health such as asbestos are isolated and their risks are soon mitigated. Not only will these methods reduce the amount of waste present within landfills, but the process of recycling makes is cheaper to produce the products that we have known and grown to depend on. So, there is a very real financial edge related to such techniques.
Doing Our Part
It is not only the large corporations which need to embrace these techniques. Individual households can utilise the services of professional skip hire services to safely and effectively dispose of their rubbish. Thanks to the flexibility associated with these options, both time and money can be saved. Such techniques are simple and effective. Thanks to modern skip hire and rubbish removal services, we will be able to protect the delicate environment for years into the future.
While most of us are not necessarily hoarders, the simple fact of the matter is that clutter naturally builds up from time to time. We only tend to notice this once we begin looking for places to store new items (such as gifts from the previous holiday season). So, it only makes sense that the beginning of 2018 should be associated with a bit of early spring cleaning. However, a problem could arise. Perhaps you do not have the time to make numerous trips back and forth to the local scrapyard or recycling centre. Another important point to mention is that a clean home tends to lead to a greater level of organisation throughout your daily life. By putting forth a bit of short-term effort, you will provide your living area with the cleanliness that it needs for the remainder of the year.
It is therefore a good idea to take a look around the home and see which items are merely taking up space as opposed to those worth keeping. As opposed to wasting resources and energy, it is much better to employ our cost-effective domestic skip hire services. Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits you will experience when working with the team at One Waste Skip Hire.
Flexibility and Much More
If you are looking to free up space and declutter your home, the term "one size fits all" certainly does not apply. We make it a point to address the needs of each individual customer. This begins with our selection of skips. For example, your new years clearance could involve nothing more than removing a few larger items that are no longer in use. A four-yard skip will come in handy for this purpose. However, there are other times when a truly massive amount of detritus needs to be addressed and a smaller unit simply will not do. You could instead opt for a 12-yard skip to satisfy a large removal. You will be pleased to know that this is only the beginning.
Many property owners tend to make renovations during the late summer or early autumn. There are also times when a workshop has become too cluttered and you need to free up additional space for the coming year. In such instances, we offer roll-on and roll-off skips. You can choose between a 20-yard and a 40-yard unit. Let's also keep in mind that these skips are ideally suited for the needs of builders or if you have an upcoming landscaping project.
All of our skips are competitively priced and thanks to an online response form, you can contact one of our representatives to learn more or to reserve a skip at your convenience. Some of the other reasons why a growing number of customers are choosing our services include:
- The possibility to opt for a same-day delivery.
- We accept all major credit cards.
- We address regulatory issues such as any necessary permits.
- Our team is punctual and reliable.
If you do not have the time to shop around and if you are looking for nothing less than the very best in terms of a professional domestic skip hire company, you have indeed come to the right place. Please give us a call at your convenience or utilise our rapid contact form to learn more. We can help to give your new year an organised edge!