Non biodegradable or non-degradable waste pollution is one of the most significant issues our planet and its inhabitants, including humans, are facing.
One of the largest contributors to this ever-growing problem is the plastics industry.
They are, however, just one of many industries that are harming our environment with disposable packaging, single-use items, fast fashion, and the general encouragement of engaging in a throw-away culture.
Non biodegradable waste is harmful to the environment and its inhabitants in numerous manners.
One of the most obvious problems associated with non biodegradable waste is the build-up of junk that can not be reclaimed, reused, or repurposed.
This waste can be found in our streets, parks, waterways, and practically anywhere else that humans can affect.
Non biodegradable product waste negatively impacts not only the environment’s natural beauty and ability to maintain clean and safe ecosystems but also the lives of the animals and people who depend on these areas.
Plastics, food and medical packaging, and other waste contaminate food and water sources, cause infection and illness, spread pathogens, and kill millions of animals and people each year.
What Is Non Biodegradable Waste?
As defined by Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, non biodegradable waste is matter not capable of being broken down by the action of natural organisms.
The vast majority of non biodegradable materials are inorganic compounds, such as polymers. Some non-biodegradable waste, however, is organic in composition.
For instance, metals and glass are natural elements that we find in many areas on our planet.
The majority of them do not, however, break down over time. Thus, they are non biodegradable items.
What Materials Are Considered Non Biodegradable Waste?
Everything around us in our day-to-day lives can either be labeled biodegradable or non biodegradable.
The list of non biodegradable materials considered waste when we finish using them is rather extensive.
Below is a list of some of the most common or popular non biodegradable waste materials you might be familiar with-
- Chemicals and dyes
- Glass
- Metal (not all)
- Poly-mailers and other polyethylene products such as bags
- Plastic in the majority of its’ forms (excludes some plant-based plastics)
- Drink containers
- Wraps and baggies used in the kitchen
- Tape
- Styrofoam
Countless other non biodegradable products end up thrown out when we are finished with them, whether they are disposable products or not.
So now you’re really wondering, how is non biodegradable waste harmful to the environment? So let’s get into the dirty details below!
Why Are Non Biodegradable Materials Bad?
Non biodegradable materials are bad for many reasons. The main reasons that these material are harmful, however, are-
- The majority of non biodegradable materials are derived from inorganic compounds, which require a lot of processing and resources to create. Think about the water consumption and by-products of the chemicals you most frequently use. Non biodegradable materials contribute heavily to resource exhaustion.
- Non biodegradable materials aren’t going anywhere. We don’t know how or if these waste materials will ever break down as far as evidential support goes. And if they do eventually break down after thousands of years, there’s no way to tell as of yet what new environmental challenges it will pose.
How Is Non Biodegradable Waste Harmful To The Environment?
Non biodegradable waste is a problem that we haven’t yet been able to solve.
We can’t burn it or send it to space. But, if the problem persists at its current rate, eventually, people will all be walking waist-deep in trash.
In some areas of the world, this is already a relatively accurate depiction of life.
Is Non Biodegradable Waste More Harmful Than Biodegradable Waste?
In general, waste is a negative aspect of our lifestyles which we should strive to cut down on at every opportunity, regardless of whether or not it is biodegradable.
However, it is difficult to estimate if non-biodegradable waste is more harmful than biodegradable waste because they cause dramatically different issues.
On the one hand, it is easy to see the immediate and long-term effects of non biodegradable and non degradable waste upon our planet.
As science advances, we learn more about how plastics break down into microplastics in our oceans and how literal garbage islands form in our largest water bodies.
These detriments to society, the environment, and the animals are easy to imagine getting worse.
On the other hand, our lack of ability to see carbon dioxide and methane gases forming and releasing into the Earth’s atmosphere does not mean that it is not a very serious problem.
In recent years, the increase in these greenhouse gas emissions is largely attributed to biodegradable waste becoming a more prevalent item in municipal solid waste management landfills.
The rate at which our planet’s temperature is rising in response to these heat-binding gases is very alarming and could ultimately spell disaster well before we’re all wading in non biodegradable waste.
What Can You Do To Cut Back On Your Waste?
It may come as a surprise, but there are actually a ton of easy and fulfilling ways for you to cut back on the waste that your home produces on a weekly or even daily basis.
Cutting down on the waste you produce will reduce your carbon and eco footprints and cut back on resource exhaustion, general wastefulness, and many concerns you have about the products in your home.
To cut back on waste in your own home, we suggest the following tips to start with.
You’re sure to find other creative ways to implement less wasteful practice around the house all on your own once you get on a roll!
- Stop using single-use products in the kitchen, such as disposable towels, sponges, plastic and metal wraps, and baggies.
- Choose bulk shopping options that require less packaging
- Use traditional cleaning tools such as cloth mops, wooden scrub brushes, and washable rags and sponges to avoid disposable alternatives
- Take a look at what you’re throwing away and see if you can eat, recycle, or repurpose anything as opposed to throwing it away
Implementing even just these few tips at home will make a world of difference- literally!
