Green Spaces Blog How Improper Waste Removal Negatively Impacts The Environment

Most people are now aware that many types of waste are recyclable. But not everyone is aware that throwing certain items into the trash can cause significant environmental damage. These are some waste materials that will cause problems if they're improperly disposed of. There are other easy ways to get rid of this waste, with just a tiny bit more effort. Light BulbsLight bulbs have come a long way since Edison. New energy-efficient bulbs have flooded the market. However, these new light bulbs cannot be discarded into the trash. In fact, it may be illegal in your area to throw them away. This is because they cause new problems once they're in the landfill.Fluorescent bulbs are no longer just those long tubes you see in offices and stores. CFL bulbs used for regular lighting are fluorescent, too. These contain mercury, which is toxic to living things. When a fluorescent bulb breaks in a landfill, the mercury gets into the soil, contaminating it.If you have LED or incandescent bulbs, which are the old style with the filament inside, they can be thrown away safely. However, they can also be recycled at places like Home Depot.Prescription DrugsWhat do you do with prescription drugs you don't need anymore? It was recommended to flush those down the toilet, but according to a recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School, found human medications are polluting fish and drinking water.But throwing them in your trash can also cause problems, as they will eventually end up in the ground as well, which means they'll eventually get into the water table.Instead, we recommend using the DEA's Drug Takeback Program to get rid of your unwanted meds. Many pharmacies also accept old medications. The drugs are then disposed of safely, usually by incineration.PlasticYou may not know that your average PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic product - the kind that typically houses everything from condiments to water bottles - takes up to one thousand years to biodegrade in a landfill.This is because PET plastic is petroleum-based, and the organisms that decompose other types of garbage won't "eat" PET plastic. PET plastic needs UV rays to break down. In a landfill, where garbage is buried, that simply doesn't happen consistently.Furthermore, as the plastic slowly degrades, it leeches a cocktail of toxic chemicals right into the soil, where it trickles into the water table and makes its way to the ocean and drinking water. So it's very important to remember to recycle your plastic products.Better yet, biodegradable products can replace pretty much all of your old PET plastics. Bring reusable straws and utensils with you when you grab a coffee or dine out. When you grocery shop, bring your reusable cloth bags with you. You'll be doing a small but important part in keeping the environment clean.Cooking OilsDumping old cooking oil or lard down the drain will clog up either your pipes or the city's, so this is highly not advisable. Another option that people use is to place the old oil into a container and then put that into the regular trash, but that means you'll be creating more waste that takes a long time to break down. Simply throwing the oil onto the ground won't work, either, because even that will drip down into the sewers and cause problems.Many local governments offer FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) recycling programs. These programs give another life to the used cooking oil and turns it into new products such as renewable biofuels, animal feed ingredients, and other household and industrial resources.Motor OilsMotor oil is another big environmental contaminant. The easiest way to avoid polluting the earth is to get your oil changed at a place that recycles its oil properly. The second is to save your old oil and take it into a place that will recycle it for you.These businesses then use the old oil to make fuel. A gallon of old oil will be processed into a gallon of fuel oil or 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil. Therefore, it's an important and useful way to get rid of your oil waste.Never throw your old motor oil into the trash or dump it anywhere. If your local auto goods store won't take your used oil, check with your local gas stations or larger big-box stores, such as a Costco with a tire change center. There will likely be at least one place in your area that accepts your used oil. This may take a little research and legwork, but an important part of keeping the environment clean.Improper waste removal significantly damages the environment. Not only will it hurt the planet long-term, but it will also cause local problems with your water - in lakes, rivers, and beaches. It will also harm the food you eat. So it's worth it to take a few extra minutes and figure out how to manage these types of waste, especially if you run a business that produces a lot of it.Written by Guest Author: Alex DeMarzoBio: Alex DeMarzo loves to write, workout, and travel. In his spare time, he can be found hiking or soaking up the outdoors. Living healthy and protecting our beautiful planet is extremely important to him. He hopes it becomes more important to others after reading his articles.