Solid Waste Pollution: Causes, Characteristics, Examples

If you were looking for information regarding the Causes Of Solid Waste Pollution , you have reached the appropriate article.

Introduction

Also Check - Causes Of Noise Pollution

Examples of Solid Waste

• Household waste : This includes common objects such as discarded food, paper products, glass, plastic, and metals, among other things. It also comprises discarded electrical devices, such as outdated laptops, TVs, and mobile phones, among other things.
• Industrial waste : Scrap metal, chemical waste, and other by-products of the manufacturing process are examples of the types of items that are included in the category of industrial waste. If it is not managed correctly, trash of this kind can be harmful to both human health and the natural environment.
• Hazardous waste : Toxic chemicals, used batteries, and used medical supplies are examples of hazardous waste. In order to lessen the negative effects that this sort of waste has on both human health and the environment, certain disposal procedures are required.
• Construction and Demolition waste : This kind of trash consists of discarded construction materials including asphalt, concrete, and wood, in addition to discarded pieces of metal and electrical machinery.
• Agricultural waste : This comprises trash from crops and animals, such as ruined crops and agricultural by-products, as well as waste from animals, such as manure.
• Electronic waste : The term "electronic waste" (sometimes spelled "e-waste") refers to many types of discarded electronic equipment, such as televisions, computers, and mobile phones, that have reached the end of their serviceable lifespan.

Also Check - Cardiac Output

How Harmful are Solid Wastes for Us?

• Contamination of Soil and Water :  Inappropriate disposal of solid waste can lead to the release of harmful compounds into the soil and water, which can result in pollution and pose a possible threat to human health as well as the environment.
• Air Pollution : The release of toxic gases into the atmosphere from solid waste, such as methane and carbon dioxide, can contribute to the pollution of the air and pose a possible threat to human health.
• Spread of Diseases : It is possible for improper disposal of solid waste, especially medical waste, to contribute to the proliferation of infectious diseases and illnesses.
• Risks to Wildlife : Wildlife, such as birds and marine animals, can be harmed by solid trash since these items can either become entangled in their bodies or be consumed by them.

• Risks to Human Health : The development of major health issues, such as asthma, irritated skin, and even cancer, may follow after prolonged contact with hazardous waste, which includes chemicals and trash from medical facilities.
• Resource Depletion : It is possible for large mounds of solid trash to lower an area's aesthetic value and to have a detrimental influence on the quality of life for communities that are located nearby.
• Decreased commercial value : It is possible to deplete precious resources and contribute to the deterioration of the environment through activities such as the extraction of natural resources for the manufacturing of commodities and the subsequent disposal of these items as garbage.

Also Check - Carbon Cycle

Municipal Solid Waste and Its Contribution to Solid Waste Pollution

• Littering : Littering is one example of an improper method of disposing of municipal solid waste, which can lead to the garbage getting dispersed and becoming a cause of pollution.
• Landfills : Leachate is a liquid that can contain harmful substances and seep into the soil and groundwater, damaging the environment. Landfills, which are often the locations where municipal solid waste is disposed of, have the potential to create leachate.
• Methane Emissions : The release of methane, a strong greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, is another environmental impact that may be attributed to landfills.
• Hazardous Solid Wastes : Solid waste products that may be recycled include carton boxes, paper, tins, metal cans, aluminum in the form of foils, and batteries, to name just a few of the goods that fall into this category. Polluting substances such as chemicals, paints, fertilizers, light bulbs, and batteries are included in the category of hazardous waste.
• Kitchen Waste : Although the majority of the garbage that is produced in the kitchen is composed of organic materials that can be broken down by microorganisms, it also contains materials such as paper and plastic that are hazardous and either cannot be recycled or must be disposed of in a manner that requires specialized procedures.

Also Check - Calvin Cycle

Solid Waste Features and Characteristics

• Origin : The origin of solid waste can have an effect on its makeup and features; for example, garbage from households is often distinct from waste from commercial or industrial settings.
• Composition : The term "solid trash" can refer to a broad variety of things, including organic garbage (for example, waste from food), inorganic waste (for example, waste made of glass or metal), and hazardous waste (e.g. chemicals, medical waste).
• Quantity : The amount of solid trash that is produced can vary greatly depending on a variety of circumstances, including population density, the methods that are used to manage garbage, and the degree of economic growth.
• Moisture Content : The amount of moisture that is included in the solid waste can have an effect on how it is handled, stored, and disposed of, in addition to the possibility that landfills will leak leachate and other pollutants.
• Physical Characteristics : It is possible for the processing, storage, and disposal of solid waste to be affected by the trash's physical features, such as its size, shape, and density.
• Chemical Characteristics : The chemical properties of solid waste, such as its pH and toxicity, can have an effect on the way it is handled, stored, and disposed of, in addition to the potential damage it could do to the environment.

Also Check - Brain Diseases

Solid Waste Management

Incineration

Also Check - Blood Pressure Symptoms

Pyrolysis

Landfilling

Composting