Earth Science

Assessment # 6
John Richard T. Cuenco Score:
11-Darwin 10/25/21

The pictures were taken at Barangay Plaridel, specifically at Purok 4’s seashore during our
coastal clean-up conducted by the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O)
before the outbreak of the pandemic.

Improper Solid Waste Management

We only have one earth to live in. Yet, humans just take everything nature could offer
for granted. Nature has been an eyewitness to the heap of an array of drastic alterations that
happen in this world. Hence, the world has been subjected to a myriad of changes due to the
fact of how humans treat mother nature. With severe environmental issues facing the planet,
the species that inhabit it are suffering. Since humans, plants, and animals all rely on these
clean air and water sources for survival, the issue of contaminating the Earth is a serious issue
that must be addressed.
 One of the human activities that severely disrupt the ecological balance and safety of
our planet is the timely and relevant issue of improper solid waste management. The modern
economy's rising amount and complexity of waste pose a severe threat to ecosystems and
human health. Every year, an estimated 11.2 billion tons of solid trash are collected around
the world, with organic garbage decomposition accounting for around 5% of global
greenhouse gas emissions. One of the detrimental effects of inappropriate solid waste
management is soil contamination. Hazardous chemicals from liquids and other recyclable
goods become embedded into the soil when improper waste removal happens to lead to
contamination. The chemicals then are absorbed by whichever plant and passed along to who
is eating, whether humans or animals. These hazardous chemicals can also interrupt or
otherwise inhibit the growing process. This leads to other issues; namely one of food supply
and disrupting food chain supply. Thus, the adverse effects of improper waste management
continue to plague us.

However, we can create impactful changes if we work hand in hand and be united as
one who has the mission to combat improper solid waste management. In the first place,
waste minimization is the solution. Recovery of resources and energy from waste, as well as
remanufacturing and recycling waste into useable goods, should be the second alternative
when waste cannot be avoided. Recycling saves a lot of money and resources. For every ton
of recycled paper, for example, 17 trees and 50% of water can be saved. Importantly, every
individual must practice the 3R's- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. As per the Missouri
Department of Natural Resources, “The three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – all help to cut
down on the amount of waste we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill
space, and energy. Plus, the three R’s save land and money that communities must use to
dispose of waste in landfills. Siting a new landfill has become difficult and more expensive
due to environmental regulations and public opposition.”

Firstly, learn to reduce. It's simply creating less waste. It’s the best method for
keeping the environment clean, so it’s the first of the 3 Rs. By reducing, you stop the problem
at the source. Making less waste, to begin with, means there’s less waste to clean up.
Secondly, learn to reuse. It makes economic and environmental sense to reuse products.
Reusing is taking old or unwanted items you might otherwise throw away and finding a new
use for them. Lastly, learn to recycle. It's a series of steps that takes a used material and
processes, remanufacture, and sells it as a new product. Recycling is the last — and most
commonly used — of the 3 Rs. Recycling is changing discarded materials into new products
to avoid using more virgin resources.

Therefore, through practicing the 3Rs, slowly but surely we can diminish the
consequences brought by improper solid waste management. Also, ameliorate the adverse
effects of this dilemma. In life, there are only two options, either we become the catalyst of
change or the doer of mediocrity. Choose wisely.

REFERENCE
DeMarzo, A. (2020, March 3). How Improper Waste Removal Negatively Impacts the
Environment. Greener Ideal. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from
https://greenerideal.com/news/environment/how-improper-waste-removal-negatively-
impacts-the-environment/#Contamination_of_soil

United Nation. (2020). Solid Waste Management. UN Environment Programme. Retrieved

October 21, 2021, from https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-
do/cities/solid-waste-management

Antonio (2020). 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse & Recycle. Sustainable San Antonio. Retrieved
October 21, 2021, from https://www.sustainablesanantonio.com/practices-technology/reduce-
reuse-recycle/