Introduction
Waste reduction has proven to be a key challenge in society as we continue to experience a rapid growth in population. While we are familiar with common types of waste such as household trash and industrial byproducts, several categories of waste remain overlooked, contributing to environmental degradation. In this blog we will dive into some of these overlooked sources of waste, the impacts they have on the environment, and more!
Major Sources of Overlooked Waste
Electronic waste is widely overlooked in today’s world. With the rapid pace of technological development, millions of discarded electronic devices including items such as smartphones, computers, and other appliances are frequently improperly disposed. Many electronics contain hazardous materials that can leach into the soil or groundwater contaminating a local environment.
Food waste from agricultural production has become a bigger issue as the world’s population continues to increase. Lots of food is lost before it even gets to the table during production, processing, and transportation creating several sources of disregarded waste. While food waste at the consumer level is discussed frequently, the waste generated earlier in the supply chain is less visible yet can be equally damaging to our environment.
Plastic waste is a widely recognized problem throughout the world. That said, many sources of plastic pollution such as illegal dumping and waste in developing countries lacking proper waste management systems still go overlooked.
Impacts on the Environment
Overlooked waste can have a much more significant impact on the environment than one may think. Some examples from this include how toxic chemicals from e-waste can seep into water sources causing contamination while plastic waste in oceans can be threatening to marine life. These environmental impacts go to show just how important it is to gain better control over these overlooked sources of waste.
Advances in Technology
Technological advances are helping to address these sources of overlooked waste. Innovations in recycling technology allows for the more efficient processing of electric waste and textiles, turning what used to be unusable waste into valuable resources. In the agricultural sector, food waste tracking and waste-to-energy technologies are reducing some agricultural waste and in turn the environmental effects of this waste. Similarly, advancements being made towards biodegradable plastics and the development of other eco-friendly products are helping to reduce the environmental impact of the everyday merchandise we use.
Conclusion
Although there are many sources of waste that we notice in our daily lives, as we explored, there are also many that are overlooked. That said, technological advances and other innovations are helping to fight all sources of waste throughout the world and will likely continue to make an impact over the coming years. To learn more about what we do to help the environment at Highlands Environmental Solutions, click the link below!
