Problem
Dumping of consumer waste products
Other Names:
Throwaway societyProliferation of consumer waste
Unrecycled consumer waste
Nature:
Practically all developed and developing countries are facing the problem of disposing of town refuse and municipal waste.
Incidence:
The total annual waste volume arising from redundant "white goods" in the UK is estimated at 400,000 tonnes (washing machines 150,000t; dishwashers 20,000t; electric cookers 55,000t; fridges and freezers 85,000t; microwaves 50,000t; tumble driers 20,000t; vacuum cleaners 20,000t), of which washing machines represent a disproportionate 37% considering that they number only 20% of discarded appliances. This is accounted for the concrete balance weights used in most washing machines. Around 75% of this total waste volume is processed in fragmentizers, and the metal portion recycled.
Broader Problems:
Inadequate waste treatmentWaste of resourcesUnethical consumption practicesShort-term planning of product life cycles Narrower Problems:
Inadequate disposal of female sanitary protection Related Problems:
Disposal of packaging waste Aggravates:
UntidinessPlastic pollution of coastal zones Strategies:
Recycling oilsRecycling glassExtending producer responsibilityDeveloping new recycling technologiesDeveloping new recycling technologiesDesigning products for recyclabilityMarketing compostCreating domestic waste recycling schemesUsing recycled materialsRecycling materialsProducing consumer wasteReducing amount of consumer wasteRecycling consumer appliancesMonitoring dumping of consumer waste productsRecycling metals References:
Ferranti, M P and Ferrero, G L: Sorting of Household Waste and Thermal Treatment of Waste Subject(s):
Amenities → ConsumersEconomics → Resource utilization
Industry → Products
Societal Problems → Disposables
Societal Problems → Proliferation
Societal Problems → Waste
Society → Society
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
09.09.2021 – 19:19 CEST