Many Canadians are unaware that improper disposal of garbage and junk releases toxic gasses and chemicals into the air. As a result, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released and trapped by our ozone layer, contributing to climate change. The world generates 1.3 billion tons of waste each year, and sadly Canadians are the biggest producers of waste per capita in the world! In fact, we throw away an estimated 57 million single-use plastic straws every day.
The harmful effects of improper waste management include:
- Air Pollution
- Climate change
- Soil and water contamination
- Growing landfills
- Health issues including cancer, congenital disabilities, respiratory and skin issues
Canadians can help by:
- Recycling
- Reusing
- Composting
- Donating instead of tossing
- Using sustainable energy methods
Metal cans are 100% recyclable and can be back in use in just 60 days from the time they are recycled. Although 75% of solid waste is recyclable, 85% remains unrecycled. However, many areas of the world are adopting unique approaches to junk removal, including:
- Trading trash for healthcare in Indonesia
- Converting garbage into useable energy in Sweden
- An amusement park made of rubbish in Uganda
- A former landfill being turned into a park in Hong Kong
There are many benefits to eco-friendly junk removal, including:
- Newspaper recycling can save about 250,000,000 trees each year
- Reducing air pollution and environmental toxins
- Decreasing the number of pollutants in the environment
- Cleaning the air we breath
- Creating a cleaner environment which affects the quality of our food and ultimately our health
- Recycling helps reduce waste that could have ended up in landfills
- Valuable land initially intended for landfills can now be used for alternative purposes
This infographic provides an insightful overview of the importance of proper waste disposal. Removing junk in an eco-friendly way is one of the most responsible ways to help fight climate change.
Infographic Source: https://www.redbins.ca/eco-friendly-junk-removals/