Where does all our stuff go when we throw it away?

  Most people can’t really picture where their waste goes. We know it goes into landfills but then why does SO much end up in our oceans and in our ecosystems? Well, today I will share exactly where it all goes. Remember to take a breath if things feel overwhelming and know that individual changes do help towards systemic change!

🗑 Throwing Away Doesn’t Mean It’s Disappeared  

I have to state the obvious… throwing things "away" doesn't make them disappear; they typically end up in landfills. So nothing is ever thrown away just relocated. The process of landfilling is where garbage is dumped into lined holes, producing toxic leachate when mixed with rainwater. This poses threats to ecosystems and water sources. Statistics reveal the vast quantities of various materials ending up in landfills annually, highlighting the magnitude of the waste issues in developed countries. It's thought that a significant portion of solid waste originates from industrial sources, showing the importance of advocating for businesses to consider the life cycle of their materials. Some people will argue that waste incineration is a green waste management solution. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Incinerators produce toxic emissions and disproportionately impact marginalised communities. Incinerators don't eliminate the need for landfills as their ash still requires disposal. This shows just how complex throwing ‘away’ all our unused stuff really becomes.

♻️ Recycling  

Is recycling inherently good for the planet? Well, most plastic recycling facilities don’t actually recycle much plastic and the ARL collapsed so currently in Australia we can’t recycle our soft plastics (welp!). Recycling facilities sort and bale recyclables, but much of it is exported, with China historically being a major recipient until stricter regulations were imposed due to high contamination rates. With China's restrictions, recycling essentially halted, leading to cancelled programs and increased incineration in many places. When they couldn’t incinerate most countries exported recyclables to countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, contributing to environmental and health hazards. Recycling was never a fully effective solution due to its carbon and chemical-intensive nature, advocating instead for reducing material consumption to minimise waste production. What our past has shown us is the importance of proper recycling practices and overall waste reduction efforts for a more sustainable future. Thankfully, there are some amazing companies now using AI robots to help sort materials for better recycling practices.

💁🏼‍♀️ So What’s the Solution?    

Okay, I know we are all screaming for the positive right now. Sustainable solutions to waste management need a holistic approach aimed at minimising environmental impact while maximising resource efficiency so we can move towards a circular economy! Key solutions include prioritising waste reduction at the source through conscious consumption practices and better product design that gives products a longer life. Implementing better technology into recycling programs with proper education and infrastructure is vital to ensure efficient material recovery and minimise contamination. One of my faves! Composting organic waste to produce nutrient-rich soil contributes to closing the nutrient loop and reducing methane emissions from landfills. Working towards a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible through recycling, refurbishing, and remanufacturing. This means less of earth’s finite resources taken from our planet and less CO2 produced.

Sustainable Living Tips

No one can ever be truly 100% zero waste in our current system. So this week here are a few easy swaps that you can make to reduce waste.

🙌🏽 Use reusable rags instead of paper towels!

🌯 Rewashable silicone bags are now available. I just reusable containers, but if you want food bags then consider looking into those.

🙏🏽 If you’re putting plastic wrap over a bowl - don’t! Just use a plate, or put the food into a container. There are metal, plastic, and glass containers; but first use whatever you already have.

👗 Do you really need that new top? Instead of buying brand new thrift, or rent clothes off sites like Rent the Runway or borrow from a friend.

🪱 Start a compost! Don’t keep throwing your food scraps into landfills.

Depop

Overconsumption is a big reason why we’re in the mess we are today with our climate. There are enough clothes on earth right now to dress six future generations… motto of the story? Buy second-hand! I love Depop because I can find so many cute one-of-a-kind pieces and I feel so good knowing I am literally wearing my values.

💨 The last coal plant in New England is closing and will be replaced by a solar farm.

🧚🏽‍♀️ The second-hand clothing market is growing faster than retail

🚛 The EPA has imposed new rules to clean up heavy trucks from releasing lots of CO2