Why Your Junk Shouldn't Be in a Landfill

Human beings consume continuously as a species. Over time, this consumption produces trash, waste, junk, and any number of discarded materials. As the population grows and we occupy more and more of the earth's surface, proper sanitary waste disposal becomes increasingly important. In the United States, municipal solid waste generation peaked around 2005, then tapered off slightly in the following years. In 2011, the US produced 220 million tons of solid waste.

Environmental Dangers of Landfills

Leakage occurs when surface water seeps into the landfill or condensation from inside seeps out, contaminating groundwater resources and causing serious health and environmental problems. In the latter half of the 20th century, it became apparent that open dumps contained potentially poisonous materials such as chemicals, heavy metals, and microorganisms. Sanitary landfills are a form of waste disposal that is more environmentally friendly.

To be considered a sanitary landfill, each of the four requirements must be met.

• Leachate collection and treatment must be in place.
• Designs must consider local geological and hydrogeological conditions.
• Trained staff must maintain the site before during and after depositing of waste materials.
• Waste should be spread and compacted in layers, leaving only a small amount of uncovered waste at a time to reduce access by animals and microorganisms.

If all four of these conditions are met, landfills become a safer, more sustainable means of disposing of waste. Landfills can be a source of clean, renewable energy in the form of methane gas, caused by the breakdown of organic materials in the landfill and harnessed for commercial purposes if they are maintained and managed properly.

As a nation, recycling, which includes composting, has dramatically increased in the past decade, so that less and less of our waste is being disposed of in landfills instead of being repurposed.

Reducing Waste in Landfills

When disposing of large items like furniture, appliances, or any other household items, it is critical to reuse and recycle as much material as possible. The mass of these items in landfills adds to a growing dump, leaching chemicals into the earth, and often taking a long time to biodegrade properly. It's not even considering the missed opportunity to provide reusable items to others who are in need.

Furthermore, you should know what hazardous materials should not be thrown away. Our future generations will be able to enjoy our bountiful, beautiful earth for a long time if we continue to recycle and maintain sanitary landfills.

Recycle Your Waste with Pro Junk Dispatch

A reputable junk removal company like Pro Junk Dispatch can help when you have a lot of junk, construction debris, or large furniture or appliances. Up to 60-80% of the material collected by eco-friendly junk removal companies like us is recycled, repurposed, or donated. Join us in keeping as much waste out of landfills as much as possible.