If Care Isn’t Taken Garbage Will Continue to Increase

It is found that if the world doesn’t start taking more initiatives to stop using plastic, the garbage is only going to increase. According to Worldwatch’s new research, the amount of solid waste in every municipality (MSW) is bound to double each year, if apt measures aren’t taken by the people.

Presently, the amount of MSW produced is about 1.3 billion tons and could increase up to 2.6 billion tons if not taken care of. World watch is an institute that helps analyze environmental data and provides information to the world in order to build a sustainable society.

Urbanization, plastic usage and increase in prosperity are considered to be the top reasons for increasing amounts of solid waste being produced by people. The wealthier the country, they more solid waste they generate, says the research. USA seems to be more eco-minded of late as many of its states are rushing to switch from using plastic bags to seed paper and reusable totes.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

A group of almost thirty four industrialized countries are part of the OECD and led the entire world in solid waste generation, at almost two million tons a day. In contrast to these countries, the Sub-Saharan Africa produces almost one-eighth of that entire garbage amount. At least two kilograms of waste is generated per person every day in these OECD nations, theUSbeing one of them.

Of the top ten MSW countries, USA generates up to 7 times more the amount of garbage France produces, which is placed in the tenth spot. Even though some of the developing countries are catching on to grab a spot on this list, the US leads the solid waste producing country list by generating about 621,000 tons each day. China comes second on the list, with 521,000 tons of garbage being generated every day.

Switching to seed paper bags and other eco-friendly items can reduce garbage

Since the US tops the MSW list, it is extremely important that the country focuses on reducing the amount of garbage it is generating on a daily basis. According to the research by World watch, America was found to have recycled only 34% of the solid waste it generated in 2010, which is an improvement from the 10% it recycled in 1980, which shows that Americans need to reuse and recycle more, and consume less.

Since the culture ofAmericahas a great influence globally, the country can use that influence to reduce the amount of garbage generated globally as well. To start reducing the garbage, the country needs to stop using plastics and instead shift to recyclable and reusable materials and techniques. Using wholesale reusable bags sold in grocery stores is a good start. You could also use reusable containers and swap bottled bottles with reusable bottles.

Source: http://www.care2.com/causes/garbage-expected-to-double-by-2025.html