Solid Waste Pollution: Strategies For A Sustainable Future

Solid waste pollution is a pressing issue that poses risks to ecosystems and human health. The modern economy is associated with an increasing volume and complexity of waste, with an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid waste collected annually worldwide. Poor waste management, including ineffective disposal and non-existent collection systems, leads to air pollution, water and soil contamination, and disease transmission. To reduce solid waste pollution, it is essential to minimize waste generation, reuse and recycle materials, and properly dispose of hazardous substances. Individuals can contribute by reducing consumer waste, disposing of waste properly, and volunteering in community clean-up efforts. Governments and industries also play a crucial role in implementing policies and infrastructure to support waste reduction and proper management, such as extended producer responsibility and data monitoring.

Reduce food waste

Food waste is a significant contributor to solid waste pollution. Here are some detailed and direct instructions to reduce food waste and combat solid waste pollution:

Planning and Shopping:

• Always make a shopping list before going to the grocery store. Check your fridge and pantry to see what items you already have and plan meals accordingly.
• Buy only what you need and stick to your list. Avoid bulk purchases, especially for perishable items with a short shelf life.
• Opt for "ugly" fruits and vegetables, which are safe and nutritious but often get left behind due to physical imperfections.
• Choose items with limited or no packaging to reduce waste.
• Take reusable bags to the grocery store instead of using single-use plastic bags.

Storage and Preparation:

• Understand 'use-by' and 'best-before' dates. 'Use-by' dates indicate food safety, while 'best-before' dates are more flexible and relate to quality.
• Organize your fridge and pantry with the FIFO (First-In-First-Out) principle. Place newly bought items at the back, encouraging the use of older items first.
• Keep ready-to-eat foods like leftovers on the top shelf and sealed raw meat and fish on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid dripping.
• Store perishable items properly. Keep the refrigerator below 5°C (40°F) and store cooked foods above raw foods.
• Use your freezer to extend the life of foods, especially those nearing their use-by dates.
• Create a designated space in your fridge for foods that need to be consumed within a few days.
• Check your fridge regularly to keep track of what needs to be used or frozen.

Cooking and Serving:

• Avoid serving too much food. Use smaller plates and offer seconds if needed.
• Measure portion sizes with measuring cups or scoops to ensure appropriate amounts.
• Use leftovers for the next day's lunch or get creative and prepare new dishes with them.
• Freeze leftovers within three months for the best results.

Reducing Waste:

• Repurpose food scraps and leftovers. For example, use vegetable scraps for soup stock or smoothies.
• Share extra food with friends, neighbours, or local food banks.
• Compost food scraps and leftovers to create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden or plants.

By following these instructions, individuals can significantly reduce food waste, save money, and contribute to the national goal of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030.

Cut down on plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic debris pervading our ecosystems and even our clouds. The ocean has become a dumping ground for plastic waste, with around 80% of marine plastic pollution originating on land. This waste poses a serious danger to marine life, which can become tangled in it or ingest it, either by mistake or because the plastic has broken down into tiny particles known as microplastics.

To cut down on plastic pollution, we can make some simple changes to our daily habits and consumer choices. Here are some ways to reduce plastic waste:

Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Single-use plastics, such as grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, and coffee cup lids, are used once and then discarded. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives like cloth bags, water bottles, coffee cups, and cutlery. It may take a little extra effort to remember to bring your own, but it will soon become a habit, and you'll be reducing your plastic waste significantly.

Boycott Bottled Water

Close to 20 billion plastic bottles are thrown away each year. By carrying a reusable bottle, you can help reduce this waste and save money. Tap water is also often a safer and healthier choice than bottled water.

Refuse Microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic scrubbers found in many beauty products like facial scrubs, toothpaste, and body washes. Due to their small size, they slip through water treatment plants and are often ingested by marine animals. Opt for products with natural exfoliants like oatmeal or salt instead, and be cautious when purchasing cosmetics, as many contain microplastics.

Choose Reusable Over Disposable

Whenever possible, avoid single-use food and drink containers, utensils, straws, and napkins. Many businesses offer discounts for customers who bring their own mugs or containers. Keep a set of silverware and a plate at work, and wash and reuse them instead of using disposable options.

Buy in Bulk and Reduce Packaging

Single-serving products like yogurt or small packages of nuts often have a poor product-to-packaging ratio. Opt for larger containers or buy staples like rice and pasta from bulk containers, storing them in jars at home. Choose products with minimal packaging and select items packaged in glass or cardboard instead of plastic when possible.

Support Anti-Plastic Legislation

Encourage your local and national government representatives to implement measures to reduce plastic waste, such as taxes or bans on plastic bags. These policies make plastic bags less desirable and encourage the use of reusable alternatives.

Recycle and Reuse

When you do use plastic products, remember to recycle them properly. Check the number on the bottom of containers to see if they can be recycled in your area. Also, try to reuse plastic containers whenever possible, such as old butter tubs or ice cream tubs, instead of throwing them away.

By adopting these practices, we can all play a part in reducing plastic pollution and minimizing its harmful effects on our planet.

Avoid single-use products

Single-use products are a glaring example of the problems with throwaway culture. By investing in quality reusable goods, we can avoid the waste and environmental impact caused by their single-use counterparts.

Reusable Bags

Bringing your own bags when grocery shopping is a simple way to avoid single-use plastic bags. Reusable bags can be made from cotton, non-woven polypropylene, or even recycled plastic bottles. Some stores may offer a small discount or refund when you bring your own bags, and you'll also be saving the store money on supply and storage costs.

Reusable Bottles and Cups

Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a refillable container. You can also bring your own reusable bottle or cup for beverages when you're on the go. Many coffee shops even offer discounts if you bring your own mug. This reduces waste and saves you money.

Avoid Single-Use Food Containers and Utensils

Single-use coffee cups, disposable utensils, straws, and napkins are all examples of products that can be easily replaced with reusable alternatives. Keep a set of silverware, plates, and cups at work, and skip the plastic straw or opt for a reusable metal one.

Reusable Straws and Cutlery for Eating Out

When eating out, you can still avoid single-use plastic items. Pack a metal or glass reusable straw, along with reusable cutlery, so you're prepared for sustainable eating on the go.

Talk to Restaurants and Businesses

Ask the restaurants and cafes you frequent if they have non-plastic alternatives to plastic straws, stirrers, or bags. Let companies know that you prefer durable, recyclable, compostable, or recycled-content packaging.

Buy in Bulk and Avoid Individually Packaged Goods

Avoid individually packaged goods like snack packs. Instead, buy in bulk and bring your own containers to zero-waste shops. This reduces the amount of packaging waste and is often more cost-effective.

Avoiding single-use products is not only environmentally friendly but can also lead to cost savings for both consumers and businesses. By adopting these simple habits, we can collectively make a significant impact in reducing solid waste pollution.

Reuse and recycle

Reuse

Reusing items such as old clothing, cloth grocery bags, and containers can effectively prevent waste. Instead of discarding unwanted items, consider selling or donating them to local charities, community centres, thrift stores, schools, or nonprofit organisations. Many of these places accept a variety of donations, including used books, working electronics, and furniture.

You can also extend the life of products by maintaining and repairing them, such as clothing, tires, and appliances. This reduces the need to frequently replace them, saving money and natural resources. Additionally, borrowing, renting, or sharing infrequently used items like party decorations, tools, or furniture can further reduce waste.

Recycle

Recycling is another crucial aspect of waste reduction. It is important to know what items your local recycling program collects and to encourage proper recycling practices. Recycling bins can be placed near desks or in the office to promote recycling among coworkers.

When shopping, look for products made from recycled materials, such as garden hoses made from old tires, stepping stones made from glass bottles, or hand tools made from recycled plastic. You can also find composite lumber made from recycled plastic bottles and bags. Additionally, when buying school or office supplies, opt for those made from recycled products, such as pencils made from old blue jeans or binders crafted from old shipping boxes.

Another way to recycle is to compost food scraps, yard trimmings, and other organic waste. Composting helps increase water retention in the soil, decreases erosion, and keeps organic materials out of landfills. The compost can be added to gardens to provide nutrients and improve soil health.

Compost food scraps

Composting food scraps is a great way to reduce solid waste pollution. It is nature's way of recycling and is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash and address climate change. By composting our food scraps, we can transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.

• Use a mix of green and brown materials: Green materials include kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, scraps, and pits, as well as grains, breads, pasta, tea leaves, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Brown materials include leaves, hay, twigs, and wood chips, which help create air pockets and prevent the compost pile from becoming soggy.
• Maintain the right moisture level: Compost should be about as damp as a wrung-out sponge. Situate your pile in a shady spot to prevent it from drying out during the summer.
• Turn the pile regularly: Turning the pile every few weeks helps inject it with air, speeding up the decomposition process.
• Bury food scraps: If you don't want to maintain a compost bin, you can simply bury your food scraps in your yard. Dig holes, toss in food scraps, and cover them with soil.
• Use a compost bin: If you have a backyard, you can purchase or build a compost bin to collect your food scraps. Make sure the bin has a tight-fitting lid and is situated in a shady spot with good drainage.
• Participate in community composting: If you don't have space for a compost pile, consider participating in a local municipal or community composting program. These programs may collect your food scraps or offer a designated drop-off location.
• Vermicomposting: This method involves keeping a bin of red worms in a convenient location and feeding them food scraps. The worms will produce nutrient-rich material that can be added to houseplants or given to gardening friends.

By composting food scraps, we can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, decrease our environmental impact, and improve the health of our soil.

Frequently asked questions