GARBAGE POLLUTION

Garbage pollution arises when the waste collected in dumping sites keeps rotting, spreading odour and cause air pollution in the surrounding areas, which also creates problems at the administrative level. It is often seen that waste including inorganic material such as iron cans, paper, plastic, glass pieces, or leftover food, animal bones, vegetable peels etc are dumped in the open. In areas where people maintain milch animals, poultry or other animals, their faeces also pollute the atmosphere. Often fire breaks out in the dumps of garbage deliberately or inadvertently. Air pollution also spreads when the garbage is burnt in the open in villages, thereby posing a grave threat to health and environment.
Rivers too are victims of various types of pollution generated by industrial and household wastes. Increasing disposal of solid waste and sewerage, as well as discharge of industrial effluents into in the water sources is spoiling the landscape of beautiful spots. Tourism prospects are taking a beating.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH GARBAGE?
In olden times, garbage generally comprised only organic waste which went into the ground, but the proportion of chemicals in the waste is increasing with the hectic pace of modern development. In countries like India, things used earlier as bags were not harmful. Earlier the pottery was used for liquid substances, and jute bag was used to carry goods. Now, the plastic has changed the situation and a problem has arisen with it because the plastic never degrades. Its recycling is possible, but there is no proper system to deposit it.

HOW DOES GARBAGE CONTRIBUTE TO AIR POLLUTION?
Today, land, water and air have become polluted. Garbage is dumped in open spaces. Large factories emit a lot of smoke. Due to dust particles in the smoke, air becomes contaminated. In addition to the spread of foul odour, germs also breed in rotting trash leading to various diseases. Mosquitoes, flies and mice find a fertile breeding ground in mounds of waste. Garbage, from the households and the industrial wastes, fall into the rivers. This makes the water of the rivers polluted. Thus, increasing garbage in the home, outside or in water sources has aggravated the problem of air pollution.
HOW DOES THE BURNING OF GARBAGE AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT?
Micro particles or particulate matter are those toxic particles whose size is so small that they can enter our body through respiration and can damage the lungs in particular. In India and China, every kind of garbage including plastic bottles, electronic goods, is burnt. According to scientists, this is the main cause of air pollution.

The smoke from the burning garbage not only poisons the air, it also increases the spread of diseases. Recent research has provided information about emission of toxic gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide due to the burning of waste. At the same time, it has been pointed out that the particles present in the air are also responsible for many types of diseases. According to researcher Rd. Christine Wiedinmyer, the Associate Director for Science at the University of Colorado, while doing the research, she realized that we have very little information about waste management and garbage-burning. The need is to deeply study the different types of toxins emanated out of such activities.

HOW CAN WE STOP OR CONTROL

GARBAGE POLLUTION?
Waste is the main reason for environmental pollution in both developed and developing countries. The increasing intensity of development is becoming increasingly challenging. The environment becomes messy due to improper disposal of garbage. But using modern technology, many developed countries have not only reduced the pollution by way of waste management but also adopted it as the main source of energy. It is possible to reuse many things thrown in the garbage. The waste of resources can be prevented by their recycling and the environment can be conserved.

The time has come when we should re-think over our lifestyle. Whatever was our population up to three decades ago, the amount of the garbage generated was not so big, because our requirements were controlled. Today we have none of the activities today which does not produce garbage. What to talk of the cities, even villages which were known for their decency, peace and cleanliness have come under the sway of garbage. Earlier, all the requirements of the villages were managed locally. Now urbanization has made inroads in the rural areas too. Nylon has replaced the rope used in the making of cots. Now the earthen pitchers are starting to disappear and replaced by plastic containers.

WHAT IS GARBAGE POLLUTION?
Garbage pollution arises when the waste collected in dumping sites keeps rotting, spreading odour and cause air pollution in the surrounding areas, which also creates problems at the administrative level. It is often seen that waste including inorganic material such as iron cans, paper, plastic, glass pieces, or leftover food, animal bones, vegetable peels etc are dumped in the open. In areas where people maintain milch animals, poultry or other animals, their faeces also pollute the atmosphere. Often fire breaks out in the dumps of garbage deliberately or inadvertently. Air pollution also spreads when the garbage is burnt in the open in villages, thereby posing a grave threat to health and environment.
Rivers too are victims of various types of pollution generated by industrial and household wastes. Increasing disposal of solid waste and sewerage, as well as discharge of industrial effluents into in the water sources is spoiling the landscape of beautiful spots. Tourism prospects are taking a beating.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH GARBAGE?
In olden times, garbage generally comprised only organic waste which went into the ground, but the proportion of chemicals in the waste is increasing with the hectic pace of modern development. In countries like India, things used earlier as bags were not harmful. Earlier the pottery was used for liquid substances, and jute bag was used to carry goods. Now, the plastic has changed the situation and a problem has arisen with it because the plastic never degrades. Its recycling is possible, but there is no proper system to deposit it.

HOW DOES GARBAGE CONTRIBUTE TO AIR POLLUTION?
Today, land, water and air have become polluted. Garbage is dumped in open spaces. Large factories emit a lot of smoke. Due to dust particles in the smoke, air becomes contaminated. In addition to the spread of foul odour, germs also breed in rotting trash leading to various diseases. Mosquitoes, flies and mice find a fertile breeding ground in mounds of waste. Garbage, from the households and the industrial wastes, fall into the rivers. This makes the water of the rivers polluted. Thus, increasing garbage in the home, outside or in water sources has aggravated the problem of air pollution.

HOW DOES THE BURNING OF GARBAGE AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT?
Micro particles or particulate matter are those toxic particles whose size is so small that they can enter our body through respiration and can damage the lungs in particular. In India and China, every kind of garbage including plastic bottles, electronic goods, is burnt. According to scientists, this is the main cause of air pollution.
The smoke from the burning garbage not only poisons the air, it also increases the spread of diseases. Recent research has provided information about emission of toxic gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide due to the burning of waste. At the same time, it has been pointed out that the particles present in the air are also responsible for many types of diseases. According to researcher Rd. Christine Wiedinmyer, the Associate Director for Science at the University of Colorado, while doing the research, she realized that we have very little information about waste management and garbage-burning. The need is to deeply study the different types of toxins emanated out of such activities.







HOW CAN WE STOP OR CONTROL GARBAGE POLLUTION?
Waste is the main reason for environmental pollution in both developed and developing countries. The increasing intensity of development is becoming increasingly challenging. The environment becomes messy due to improper disposal of garbage. But using modern technology, many developed countries have not only reduced the pollution by way of waste management but also adopted it as the main source of energy. It is possible to reuse many things thrown in the garbage. The waste of resources can be prevented by their recycling and the environment can be conserved.

The time has come when we should re-think over our lifestyle. Whatever was our population up to three decades ago, the amount of the garbage generated was not so big, because our requirements were controlled. Today we have none of the activities today which does not produce garbage. What to talk of the cities, even villages which were known for their decency, peace and cleanliness have come under the sway of garbage. Earlier, all the requirements of the villages were managed locally. Now urbanization has made inroads in the rural areas too. Nylon has replaced the rope used in the making of cots. Now the earthen pitchers are starting to disappear and replaced by plastic containers. Like cities, mobile, motorcycle and other modern products have also taken roots in villages. So, there is no difference in the amount of garbage in the cities and villages. We have learned everything from the western countries, but we are not able to learn how conscious people are there with regard to cleanliness, which is maintained not simply as adherence to any rule or law, but as part of moral duty and social obligation there. The people abroad consider streets and other public places outside the home as part of their living space. But we think that our responsibility is simply to clean up our house. Accordingly, we need to inculcate change in our attitude towards waste or garbage.


Like cities, mobile, motorcycle and other modern products have also taken roots in villages. So, there is no difference in the amount of garbage in the cities and villages. We have learned everything from the western countries, but we are not able to learn how conscious people are there with regard to cleanliness, which is maintained not simply as adherence to any rule or law, but as part of moral duty and social obligation there. The people abroad consider streets and other public places outside the home as part of their living space. But we think that our responsibility is simply to clean up our house. Accordingly, we need to inculcate change in our attitude towards waste or garbage.