The Consequences of Poor Waste Management

Recycling is pretty great, most of us can quite easily agree on this sentiment. By keeping on top of our recycling and waste disposal, we’re helping to ensure a healthy environment for us and the next generation. Yet, for all of the positives you may hear about recycling and proper waste management, sometimes the consequences for bad waste management can be swept under the rug. As of 2018, the UK is looking increasingly unlikely to hit its waste recycling target of 50% by 2020 as our recycling habits struggle to keep up with our ever-demanding society.

With this in mind, it is imperative to fully understand the consequences that our lack of diligence has when it comes to recycling and for us to look for new ways to combat this ever-present problem.

Environmental impact
Obviously one of the most pressing problems caused by improper waste disposal is its effects on the environment as a whole. Waste that secretes into the water and ground soil can very quickly contaminate them which can decimate whole ecosystems.

Air pollution can also be a major problem, with landfills and waste burning facilities producing large amounts of harmful chemicals such as methane, we end up contributing to the serious issue of climate change.

Human impact
As humans, we are of course part of the environment, so anything that affects the world around us will invariably affect us in the long run. Contaminated water and soil can poison our food and cause genuine health problems whilst the toxic air we breathe is already becoming a problem in areas like London.

However, even closer to home is the issue of waste management in the community. By not staying on top of recycling and waste disposal, you may be inviting harmful pests such as flies and rats into your community which can cause adverse health issues.

Economic impact
There’s money to be made through effective recycling strategies. By having specialist facilities designed to efficiently reuse materials, jobs are created which can benefit a community whilst reducing overall energy consumption. By not investing in these initiatives, whole communities may suffer from having this valid revenue source.

Ensure you’re making the most of your waste with Go Greener
Proper waste disposal is always going to be an important obstacle to overcome for any society, however, it is imperative that we do so in order to keep our planet healthy. Here at  Go Greener, we understand the importance of proper waste disposal, which is why we strive to use 90-95% of the waste we collect, meaning less in the landfill and more back into our community.

For more information on how we can help you make the most of your waste, visit our website or get in touch on 01886 832590.