*Updated*
Disclaimer
I will be criticised a blog post. It is from a personal view.
Yes, we all know one way to handling rubbish is by burning it. Although this solution is more easy and beneficial, we cannot deny it brings harm to our environment and health.
Electric America has a piece of article related to the burning trash in South Florida. In 2017, its author Molly Seltzer posted the article with title ‘Burning Trash and Proud of It: A South Florida Waste Authority’s Efforts to Get the Most Out of Its Resources’. Based on the article, I will raise my disagreements.
~ Changes on the waste processing system of South Florida
The government of South Florida decided to build incineration plants for trash burning. The encountered issue is there are no more space for the country to use as landfills area. Since the existing landfills are expected to be fully used by 2020, the government wants to generate power and electricity through the process of burning trash and at the same time, solve the problem of overloaded trash.
The facility of incineration plants is stated to be able to filter the toxic gas. It can control the pollutants from the process and prevent the pollution of air and water. Moreover, the trash burning as stated in the post can help to ‘maximize the resources to minimize the environmental impact’.
Above is the overall ideas of the post.
~ Disagreement on trash burning
First, I think burning trash is not appropriate. This is because burning trash will release toxic smoke to the air and cause the pollution of air. Besides, it also does not work out to increase the public awareness on the waste reduction, stated in Conserve Energy Future.
Seltzer’s post is written on her own stance. That is why she agrees with the trash burning process. South Florida has adopted the trash burning way due to the reason that it estimates the landfill will be full by 2020. On the other hand, burning trash can also produce power or energy.
However, the trash should not be burned in any circumstances. The air pollution will be a really bad effect for people especially those who live nearer to the location for burning trash. For instance, the health effects of trash burning are asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, heart problems, and even cancer. Although she said the incineration plant will control the pollutants, there is no proof to show readers the situation.
In addition, burning the trash will not solve the fundamental problem of rubbish. If the landfill is full, so people replace the solution with burning the trash. Then, the country will never improve its environmental section. People should be taught on the consequences of making a lot of rubbish.
The blog also mentioned, “on the ride down from REF2 with the stragglers of the group, the education specialist explained that burning trash has extended the life of the landfills, but no waste is still better than some waste.“
I would like to know your perspective, please leave comments at below. And don’t forget to stay tuned for more interesting posts at Green for R. Thanks, see you next time!
*cover photo is taken from Pepperl+Fuchs
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