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Trashing the Planet: Examining Our Global Garbage Glut

Jamie Blair

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We live in a disposable society. We buy things, use them once, and then throw them away. This has led to a global garbage glut that is threatening our planet.

According to the World Bank, we generate 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste each year. This is equivalent to the weight of 200,000 blue whales. And it is only going to get worse. By 2050, we are expected to be generating 3.4 billion tons of garbage each year.

This garbage is having a devastating impact on our environment. It is polluting our oceans, poisoning our soil, and contributing to climate change.

Trashing the Planet: Examining Our Global Garbage Glut

by Stuart A. Kallen

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled

The Problem with Garbage

There are a number of problems associated with garbage.

Pollution: Garbage is a major source of pollution. When it is dumped in landfills, it can leach toxic chemicals into the groundwater. When it is burned, it can release harmful pollutants into the air.
Climate change: Garbage is a major contributor to climate change. When it decomposes, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Health risks: Garbage can also pose a health risk. It can attract rodents and insects, which can spread diseases. It can also contaminate food and water supplies.

What Can We Do?

There are a number of things we can do to reduce the amount of garbage we generate.

Reduce: The best way to reduce garbage is to reduce the amount of stuff we buy. We should only buy things that we really need, and we should try to buy products that are made from sustainable materials.
Reuse: We should also try to reuse items whenever possible. This means repairing things instead of throwing them away, and donating items that we no longer need.
Recycle: Finally, we should recycle as much as possible. Recycling helps to turn waste into new products, and it reduces the amount of garbage that goes to landfills.

The global garbage glut is a serious problem, but it is one that we can solve. By reducing, reusing, and recycling, we can help to protect our planet for future generations.