What waste management in the world
In low-income countries more than 90% of waste is poorly managed. Waste management is a major international health, economic and environmental issue. However, household waste collection and treatment systems are still failing in many countries.
Only 13.5% of waste is recycled worldwide while composting represents only 5.5% of garbage. While open dumps threaten the health of populations, it is urgent to put in place waste management systems adapted to deal with these mountains of waste.
Waste management systems around the world
Unequal waste production
According to the World Bank’s What a Waste 2.0 report published in 2018, the world currently produces 2.01 billion tonnes of waste per year. Reinforced by demographic growth and urbanization in many countries, this number continues to increase from year to year.
The East Asia and Pacific region is currently the largest producer of waste in the world with 468 million tonnes produced per year, or 23% of waste globally. These data can be explained in particular by the significant demographic density of Asia. Although a resident of this part of the world produces on average less waste per year than a resident of developed countries such as the United States or France, the number of inhabitants significantly increases the region’s total waste production.
Indeed, high-income countries, which account for only 16% of the world’s population, generate more than a third of the planet’s waste, or 34% of the garbage produced.
What treatment of waste on a global scale
While high- and middle-income countries recycle or compost more than a third of their waste, low-income countries recycle only 4% of theirs. According to the World Bank, in these countries, only 39% of garbage is collected and more than 90% of waste is poorly managed.
Due to a lack of collection systems, most waste is thrown into the street or burned by people. When collected, household waste is dumped in open-air illegal landfills. As they degrade, they release methane into the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas considered very toxic.
The consequences of open-air dumps are numerous for the populations who live around them. Exposed to the pollution of their environment and the spread of diseases, these inhabitants also have to face the risk of these mountains of waste collapsing. Like the tragedies of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia or the Ghazipur landfill in India, men, women and also children, living in extreme poverty, sort waste and resell it at the risk of their lives.
Waste treatment: a challenge for the future
If no action is taken, the World Bank’s What a Waste 2.0 report states that the amount of waste produced each year will increase by 70% over the next 30 years. In 2050, there will be 3.4 billion tonnes of garbage and 2.5 billion tonnes of CO2 released because of this waste.
For many countries, especially poorer ones, installing waste management systems represents a colossal sum, reaching up to 20% of municipal budgets. Yet investing in functional and sustainable waste collection and treatment systems is essential for a country’s economy. Poorly treated or untreated waste represents a high cost in terms of health and environmental consequences.
Improving waste management systems makes it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit pollution and its health consequences on the population, but also create jobs. While more than 15 million people around the world make a living from waste recovery, often informally, the establishment of household waste treatment systems would enable the creation of stable jobs and reduce poverty.
Whether for the health of populations, the environment or the economy, the establishment of waste treatment systems is essential in every country in the world.
Why renting a dumpster in the USA can reduce waste
Renting a dumpster in the USA can significantly contribute to reducing waste by promoting efficient disposal practices, fostering responsible waste management, and encouraging recycling and waste diversion efforts. Here’s how:
- Optimized Disposal: Renting a dumpster provides individuals, businesses, and construction sites with a designated space for waste, making it easier to collect and manage refuse. This leads to more organized disposal, reducing the likelihood of littering and illegal dumping.
- Recycling Opportunities: Many dumpster rental services offer options for sorting and recycling different types of waste materials. This encourages the separation of recyclables from general waste, diverting items like paper, cardboard, plastics, and metals away from landfills.
- Volume Reduction: Dumpsters come in various sizes, allowing users to choose the appropriate capacity for their needs. This helps prevent overfilling, which can lead to waste falling out during transport, and encourages responsible waste reduction.
- Proper Hazardous Waste Disposal: Renting dumpsters from reputable companies ensures proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials. This reduces the risk of environmental contamination and health hazards.
- Community Engagement: Dumpster rental companies often work closely with local communities to promote waste reduction and sustainable practices. This collaboration helps educate residents and businesses about the importance of responsible waste management.
Renting a dumpster somewhere in the USA like Norristown, PA not only provides a convenient waste disposal solution but also plays a crucial role in reducing waste by encouraging responsible and sustainable waste management practices.
