26-02-2013, 03:10 PM
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
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INTRODUCTION
About 18,000,000 tonnes of MSW is produced each year in the nation's homes and businesses. About 78,000,000 tonnes is Industrial Waste. These figures are only estimates, because only about 40% of waste is weighed before disposal. Today 88% of MSW is buried in the 4,000 licensed landfills up and down the UK.
Gases
Landfill is the cheapest way of disposing MSW, but all efforts to get rid of waste pollute the environment to some extent. In landfills the disadvatages are that gases and chemicals are released into the air we breathe. Experiments show that the gases and chemicals released from landfill sites are harmful to animals. Doctors suspect, therefore, that it is harmful to humans also. A major disadvantage is the release of Methane gas. This gas can be explosive and in the USA there have been over 30 explosions linked with Methane released from landfill sites. People have died as a result!
Bacteria
However, there is another problem with landfills, whether lined or not. Bacteria in the soil, break down organic matter in the landfill, such as vegetable peelings. As they do so, they release methane gas. Methane is not a poison, but it has two drawbacks. Firstly, it is a greenhouse gas. It contributes to the greenhouse effect that will eventually cause global warming. Secondly it is explosive. If it seeps from the landfill and finds its way into a building, it can build up unnoticed. One day someone lights a match and ………..BANG!!!
Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect is caused by so called 'greenhouse gases' in the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour have existed naturally for millions of years. The amount of these gases has gradually increased, causing the earth to get warmer. The temperature of the Earth changes naturally by a few degrees, but it should take thousands of years. Over the next forty years the temperature could rise by another 1.50C to 4.50C, a speed of increase never experienced before on Earth. This increase in temperature could cause the huge polar ice caps to melt. This would cause sea levels to rise by about 1.5 metres over the next sixty years. Low Iying areas of land will be flooded and millions of people will lose their homes. So, Britain is at risk, especially coastal towns such as Greenock and Gourock.