Thursday 29 October 2020

 Top 5 common things not allowed in landfills and why?

1.Car batteries: As the casing on the battery corrodes, chemicals leak into the soul and make their way into our Water Supply water supply , and then eventually reach into our ocean. According to Battery University , Lithium can cause landfill fires that can burn underground for years ! With that being said there's a few ways to properly dispose of your batteries. One being to take it to a recycling center or you could also take it to your local auto parts store and some places will even pay you money for them.



2.Car tires: Tires in general are not desired landfill because of the high volume of them and the 75% of void space. Over 300 million tires are scrapped each year. Landfill space is becoming more and more scarce. Luckily they are 100% recyclable . Tires also are a breeding ground for mosquitoes which is a big issue with the rise of West Nile Virus. Tire fires produce acid smoke which is harmful to both humans and our environment. The residue from the fire is an oily residue and those tires can also burn for weeks at a time since they cannot be extinguished.  They also trap methane gases causing them to bubble to the surface. Here's a few ways to properly dispose of your old tires . You can call your local recycling center and ask if they allow tires or you can check with your Regional EPA office for more information.

3.Motor Oil: Motor oil is one of the most frequently spilled oil in the United States. Used motor oil contains so many toxic substances. In most states it is illegal to pour motor oil down the drain or even on the ground because it can diminish the effectiveness of wastewater treatment. Through run off water most spilled motor oil makes its way into our waterways. The only ways to prevent pollution is going to be Recycle used motor oil at the right facilities , Check your cars for leaks quiet often , and never pour motor oil down any drain inside or outside and never pour it on the soil. For proper disposal check with your local used oil facility such as a transfer station or waste management centers because they accept used oils.

4.Freon loaded items : Freon has been described as one of the most significant pollutants. As it moves through the air its chemical ingredients cause a depletion of the Ozone layer. Freon not only causes damage to the Ozone ,but also contributes to global warming. This could result in serious human health risks. Most recycling facilities accept them and will dispose of them for you .


5.Liquid / Toxic waste : Paint and other liquid or toxic waste releases chemicals into the atmosphere and it affects the Ozone layer. Paint is a very toxic chemical inhaling it for too long can cause headaches , asmatic reactions , irritated skin , eyes , and airways. It can also put stress on vital organs such as the heart. While paint is drying every single toxic that isn't a solid is released into the air. Pesticides also  have a huge effect on wildlife that we don't even notice. For example The Honeybee population has plummeted nation wide and is still going down hill. Male frogs exposed to certain pesticides turn into a  female . Pesticides are slowly but surely killing off some of our meaningful wildlife especially The Honeybee community. There's a few ways to dispose of them that way they cannot harm the environment. First one with wet paint you can add concrete mix  to it to solidify it. Next Pills can also be harmful if flushed or just simply thrown away. Ground the old medication in with coffee grounds and that way it will be safe from wildlife wanting to eat it and getting sick. Triple wrap old pesticides and herbicides in biodegradable plastic wrap that way it does not sink into any soil or harm plants or animals. 




 

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