Jackie Thompson

 

The impact of waste being dumped into the world’s oceans and waterways has become increasingly highlighted in recent years. While many media sources focus on the oceans, the impact on urban waste systems is just as severe; a recently updated study, published by the Journal of Environmental Pollution, found 13 billion microplastic particles were being released into U.S. waterways every year. Most notably, the study found ‘tertiary treatment’ of water ineffective. Instead, businesses and homes need to innovate to reduce plastic release in the first instance.

The Impact of the Home

Businesses produce heavy loads of pollutants in proportion to their size, but homes are often overlooked in their impact. Together, family homes put around 8.8 million tons of plastic into waterways and oceans, according to National Geographic. In addition, older piping systems are continuing to release hazardous metals into the oceans, with the New York Times raising the high profile example of Flint, MI. To assist the family home, innovations have led to the creation of plastic collectors that prevent waste from entering the waterways, where it can become problematic. When paired with a diligent cleaning routine, to prevent waste buildup in guttering and waste pipes, the ability to vastly reduce released waste is enhanced.

Looking for Inspiration Abroad

India may not come to mind as a world leader in waste management, but this may be set to change. The caste system in India previously made it so lower caste members would be forced to work in terrible conditions through ‘manual scavenging’ before it was outlawed in 1994. Now, technologists have produced robots that can mimic their work, according to The Hindu. These robots offer promise to beleaguered city planners globally as a way to prevent waste build-ups from becoming a reality, as is the case with the UK’s fat-bergs.

A Recycled System

The ultimate goal of sustainability is to reduce resource usage to zero, with consumption being fueled with entirely renewable sources without any resource footprint. A lot is already being done across the world to achieve this aim. Water is recycled from sewage, many materials are made from recycled former products, and the theme of composting is becoming popular again across the U.S. Taking these endeavors to another level involves using all waste, not just water waste, and El Paso, TX, is perhaps the best leading example in this case. According to a report by Quartz, the city has deployed full-scale recycling and consumption of solid sewage. Using the latest technological innovations in waste management and filtering, they have effectively answered the city’s water management and waste management problems in one hit.

The sewers underlying cities are part of the vital makeup of the city. Sadly, they are iill-treated due to the consumption of the homes above them. With a combination of innovative ideas, cleanup can, and should progress, improving conditions for all.

 

*Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels.

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