Introduction
"Produce No Waste" is one of David Holmgren's 12 permaculture principals. The idea behind it is to simply use all of the product and energy that we create so that none of it goes to waste.
Unfortunately, as I researched this topic, I found that there is much that goes to waste, when is comes to energy, food, and trash. Even worse, the trends of which we product waste has steadily been increasing according to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
Why is Waste So Harmful?
Creating waste can be harmful in many ways more than one. According to the Clean Management Environmental Group, creating waste is not only bad for the earth, and all the effects that come for creating waste, but it can damage the quality of air we breathe, the water that we drink, and can lead to the spread of deceases. According to NOAA, many outbacks have been traced back to waste, whether it be in the ground or in the water.
How its Affecting Humans.
As mentioned in why waste is harmful, waste can lead to many things that will affect us. To start it affects our day to day health, when we get sick from drinking dirty water, or we get exposed to a chemical. All of these are mentioned throughout NOAA and the EPA's website. That being said, creating mass amounts of waste also damages the earth which in leads to hurting humans on a larger scale. By creating this waste, we are overusing resources that are already very limited, and by not getting the full extent out of the said resources, we are being highly inefficient.
Solutions
So what can we do to help? According to the Nature Conservancy, there are many day to day things that if we all did, could make an impact as a whole. To start, putting an end to single use things, whether it be cups, forks, silverware. Purchasing clothing that will last for 8-10 years, instating of falling into the idea of "fast fashion." Challenging leaders to get on board with ideas that are favorable to the public, as well as spreading the word about how much waste we create, and how it is affecting our livelihoods.
Sources
https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_pollution/013bacteria.html
https://cleanmanagement.com/blog/how-improper-waste-disposal-affects-the-environment/#:~:text=A%20huge%20issue%20that%20comes,Animal%20and%20Marine%20Death
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/delaware/stories-in-delaware/delaware-eight-ways-to-reduce-waste/
Credits:
Created with images by saravuth - "garbage dump pile in trash dump or landfill,backhoe and truck is dumping the gabage from municipal,garbage dump whit old garbage truck and dark clouds or rain clouds ." • airdone - "Reduce Reuse Recycle, Motivational Words Quotes Concept" • Christian Schwier - "Gruppe von Freunden animiert sich vor dem Spiel" • thampapon1 - "Male or Man Hand and Finger put Piece of Jigsaw in Place to Solve or Match Puzzle" • Tierney - "Project management theme with person using a laptop computer"