The Problem
Garbage not only chokes landfills and potentially contaminates aquifers, but also results in greenhouse gas emissions before, during, and after it's processed.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are created by the trucks that transport waste to a disposal site. Once the waste reaches the landfill and begins to decompose, it produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than CO2. Waste incineration produces CO2 as a by-product. Typically once something is disposed of, it's usually replaced. Fossil fuels are often required during production, which also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. |