Mind Map - English - Environmental Problems

1. Mismanagement of waste contributes to climate change and air pollution, in addition to directly affecting many ecosystems and species. Landfills, considered the last resort in the waste hierarchy, release methane, one of the greenhouse gases linked to climate change. Methane is formed by microorganisms present in landfills from biodegradable waste such as food, paper and garden waste. Depending on how they are built, landfills can also contaminate soil and water.

2. Recycling can further help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other emissions, being the best alternative. When recycled materials, such as plastic, replace new materials, less virgin raw material needs to be extracted or produced.

3. Waste management and population increase

4. Part of the waste can be incinerated or recycled. Waste energy can be used to produce heat or electricity, which can then replace energy produced with coal or other fuels. Energy recovery from waste can therefore help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Waste impacts the environment indirectly too. What is not recycled or recovered from waste represents a loss of raw material and other inputs used in the chain, that is, in the production, transport and consumption phases of the product. The environmental impacts in the life cycle chain are significantly greater than just in the waste management phases.

6. Throwing away wastes resources. It wastes raw material, energy used in manufacturing items and wastes money. Reducing waste means less environmental impact, fewer resources​​and more savings. The UN predicts that the world population will exceed 8.5 billion people in 2030. We need to considerably reduce the generation of waste through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse activities, which are part of the system known as the circular economy to minimize the impact on the environment. environment.