Are Landfills Bad for the Planet?

 

Landfills are designated sites that collect unrecycled waste. Think of them as the ultimate dumping sites where everything unwanted goes. The waste, in this case, can neither be recycled nor reused.

Landfills contain commercial and residential waste, both inert and organic. Though they are regulated, monitored for compliance, and operated legally, they still threaten the environment, properties, and human lives.

According to a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, landfills are vulnerable to leaks, and the runoffs add toxic chemicals to drinking water. If you dispose of your waste through junk removal in Portland, you can have peace of mind because most companies do it in LEED-certified facilities.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the top dangers of landfills:

They Release Methane Gas


One toxic gas that pollutes the air when waste is burned in landfills is methane. It is released when biodegradable organic waste decomposes. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas that absorbs heat and causes climate change.

They Impact Biodiversity

· For a patch of land to be used as a landfill, it must be cleared of any wild areas. This leads to habitat degradation and loss

· When a site is turned into a landfill, it scares away local species that are replaced by crows and rats that feed on rotting waste

· The toxic runoff produced by landfills is called leachate. It contaminates nearby lakes, ponds, and streams, damaging habitats

· The toxic runoff also impacts soil fertility, affecting plant life

They Can Cause Fires

 

Gases produced in landfills are toxic to a very high level. When they mix with the waste, they can cause fires, which leads to air pollution. If the fire gets out of control, it can spread far and destroy everything in its path.

Landfill sites are somewhat responsible for global warming. They release biogas, which is a mixture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane gas (CH₄) — two gases that increase our planet’s temperature and cause climate change. If landfills continue to fill with waste, they will contribute to around 10% of greenhouse gases by 2025.

The good news is that some garbage services in Portland are disposing of their waste in LEED-certified facilities. One of them happens to be Thunderbird Drop Box. They are well aware of the dangers of landfills and have adopted an ethical way to help people declutter their houses and recycle items. Visit their website to learn more about their services. For more information, call (503) 928-4548.

 

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