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Domestic Waste
Domestic waste is becoming a serious problem today, as we consume ever more stuff and buy and throw away more things. Getting rid of all the waste we produce is a challenge for local authorities, and has negative effects on our environment and on our attitudes. This essay will examine the causes and extent of the problem and suggest some ways we can manage our waste better.
Our waste affects the environment, the economy, and our attitudes. First of
all, vast amounts of land are used as landfill. Now that land near many
cities is limited and expensive, it seems crazy to be using it to bury old
newspapers and fridges. The environment is also affected when waste is
burned or incinerated or when toxic chemicals enter our ground water.
Economically it makes little sense to be burning or burying valuable
commodities such as paper, glass, aluminum or steel, and there are huge cost
involved for local authorities in providing bins and trucks outside every
home. The third impact is on our attitudes. If people do not think before
they consume, they are more likely to buy unnecessary things.
It is not impossible to solve the problem of waste. First we need to change
our society’s attitude. Do we really need that new phone or an extra plastic
shopping bag? If we reduce our consumption, our output of waste will drop
dramatically. Secondly, we need programs for recycling every kind of waste -
electronic, paper, glass, cans, packaging, and so on. People can be
encouraged to recycle using special bins and drop-off areas. Thirdly, we
need to think about charging people for disposing of waste. We already
charge for water and electricity, so there is nothing strange about charging
for this service. If people had to pay for every kilo of waste, they might
look at ways to reduce. Producers, too, need to be involved, by using less
packaging, more environmentally friendly products, and by accepting old
products such as phones or computers for recycling.
Using some of the methods can result in dramatic drops in areas of landfill and in the amount of chemicals in the environment. Together, producers, consumers and local authorities will reap the benefits of a cleaner environment and less waste!
370 words
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