Human Activity's Garbage Pollution: Causes And Effects

Human activity is the primary cause of garbage pollution, with over two billion metric tons of unsustainable, human-generated waste thrown away globally each year. The burning of fossil fuels, industrial processes, and farming practices all contribute to the rapid increase in pollutants and waste entering ecosystems. Poor waste management strategies, such as open landfills, further exacerbate the issue, releasing greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide directly into the atmosphere. Marine pollution, largely caused by land-based activities, is a significant concern, with plastic waste, sewage, and chemical runoff contaminating oceans and harming marine life. Air pollution, caused by industrial emissions and urban activities, poses serious health risks, affecting both humans and the environment. Addressing waste management and reducing pollution are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of human activity on the planet.

Poor waste management

One of the primary consequences of poor waste management is air pollution. Open and unsanitary landfills release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, directly into the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a warming potential over 80 times greater than carbon dioxide, is a significant contributor to climate change. The burning of waste in open spaces or open-air incinerators further exacerbates air pollution, releasing toxic fumes and contributing to climate change.

Water pollution is another detrimental outcome of inadequate waste management. Uncontrolled dumping of waste, especially near water bodies, leads to the contamination of rivers, lakes, groundwater, and oceans. Hazardous substances, such as heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and plastic waste, find their way into water sources. These pollutants accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, leading to bioaccumulation and posing risks to human health when consumed. Marine life, including fish, whales, sea turtles, and seabirds, is severely impacted by ingesting toxic plastics and microplastics.

Inadequate waste management also results in soil contamination, particularly in landfill sites. Hazardous substances leach into the soil, rendering it unfit for plant growth and disrupting ecosystems. Poor waste management practices, such as mixing household and commercial garbage with hazardous waste, further compound the problem. This contamination can have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the environment but also human and animal health.

The impact of poor waste management extends beyond environmental degradation and poses significant risks to public health. Unsanitary conditions, caused by the improper disposal of waste, provide breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and rodents. Open landfills and uncontrolled dumping sites contribute to the spread of communicable diseases and create unsanitary living conditions, particularly for marginalized communities residing near these sites.

Plastic pollution

Once in the environment, plastic pollution can fragment into smaller pieces, known as microplastics. These are plastic particles ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, and they are found in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, feces, livers, kidneys, and placentas. They have also been found in more than 100 aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, and mussels, which are then consumed by humans. The potential health impact of microplastics on humans is still being researched.

Millions of animals are killed by plastics every year, and nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to have been affected. More than 1,500 species of marine and terrestrial animals are known to ingest plastics, with 90% of seabirds consuming plastics, and many getting sick and dying as a result. Even if they do not consume plastics, animals are often injured or maimed by plastic trash. Some of this ocean plastic is entering the human food chain when we eat crustaceans and fish that have consumed microplastics.

To reduce plastic waste, the production and sale of unnecessary plastic items should be banned, with simultaneous efforts to incentivize reusing and recycling. Individuals can also play a role by reducing their consumption of single-use plastics and rejecting fast fashion.

Sewage and chemical waste

Sewage pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to both human and wildlife populations. It occurs when raw or partially treated sewage is released into the environment, contaminating water sources and causing a range of harmful effects. In England alone, there were over 400,000 discharges of raw sewage into rivers in 2020, leading to the closure of dozens of beaches in 2022 due to high levels of toxic waste. This issue is not unique to England, as global studies have identified sewage pollution hotspots in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine systems, threatening biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Sewage contains a variety of harmful substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, hormones, medications, and bacteria. When released into water bodies, these contaminants can lead to the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 3.4 million people die annually from waterborne diseases, underscoring the severity of sewage pollution's impact on human health.

Chemical waste, resulting from industrial, commercial, and household activities, also contributes significantly to water pollution. This waste includes toxic chemicals from manufacturing facilities, laboratories, construction sites, and households. Improper disposal of chemical waste can lead to water stream contamination, causing serious negative consequences for aquatic life and humans who rely on these water sources.

The presence of pharmaceutical products in water bodies is an emerging concern within the realm of sewage and chemical waste. Antibiotics, oral contraceptives, and other medications have been detected in sewage treatment plant effluents and waterways, leading to ecological risks such as the feminization of male fish and the development of antimicrobial resistance.

To address these issues, it is imperative to prioritize proper waste management practices and invest in pollution control equipment. Reducing plastic waste, banning unnecessary plastic items, and incentivizing reuse and recycling can also help mitigate the impact of sewage and chemical waste on the environment and human health.

Air pollution

One of the primary human activities contributing to air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels. When fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas are burned, they release pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants are known to contribute to climate change and have a range of negative impacts on human health and the environment. For example, the combustion of coal has been linked to mercury pollution in water, which can accumulate in fish and lead to health issues in humans who consume them.

Industrial processes and innovations are another significant source of air pollution. Various industries emit pollutants such as oil, pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, and radioactive waste. These substances can contaminate the air and subsequently affect water sources, soil, and food. For instance, pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture can increase chemical nutrients in the soil and water, leading to eutrophication and the creation of "dead zones" where life cannot survive due to extremely low oxygen levels.

In addition to the burning of fossil fuels and industrial activities, poor waste management practices also contribute to air pollution. Landfills, particularly open dumps and unmanaged sites, release greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide directly into the atmosphere. Methane is of particular concern due to its potent warming potential, estimated to be over 80 times greater than carbon dioxide. The proliferation of plastic waste, which often ends up in rivers and oceans, and even the human food chain, is a significant contributor to air pollution and poses risks to marine life and human health.

Landfills and dumpsites

While landfills are intended to keep trash out of the environment and away from water sources, they can still negatively impact the local environment. For example, they can cause soil contamination and wildlife disruption due to habitat occupation. Landfills can also lead to increased noise and odour pollution, which can reduce local property values.

One of the most significant issues with landfills is their contribution to global warming and climate change. Landfills generate and release biogas, including greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. Methane, a gas with a warming potential over 80 times greater than carbon dioxide, accounts for 20% of total methane emissions from human-related sources. This means that emissions from landfills, if not properly managed, can undermine the efforts of climate mitigation strategies.

Furthermore, landfills can pose health risks to humans and wildlife. Waste from landfills can impact animal health, and pollutants from landfills can contaminate water sources. For example, precipitation on open landfills can become contaminated with dissolved materials, forming leachate that can contaminate groundwater if not contained. Pharmaceutical products, such as antibiotics, have been found in high concentrations in effluents of sewage treatment plants and waterways, leading to toxicological effects in animals and potential ecological risks.

Frequently asked questions