landfill

__Landfill __

Landfills are used throughout the world as a method of disposing solid waste in which rubbish is buried between layers of earth to fill low-lying ground.  **  How Landfill contributes to global warming  Because of biodegradation of the materials, methane gases and carbon dioxide are emitted, and hence contribute to global warming. **The number one source of human-caused methane gas pollution is from landfill. Landfills contribute to 10% of methane pollution daily. Methane is emitted from landfills when dumped materials- paper, wood and food waste- are dumped. These high level of gases are then absorbed into the lower atmosphere, acting as a blanket for solar infared radiation and consequently contributes to warming up the Earth.

 **Landfills are found all over the world and the more we dumped our rubbish irresponsibly, the more these landfills will double effecting animals, people, their homes and more importantly our world. Landfill is usually found in large, deserted sites like old quarries or large spaces in the countryside.
 * Where is landfill most likely found

Land fill in the past was the preferred method of waste disposal as it was quite cheap to get rid of rubbish this way and the space was available, mainly at old quarries. Today, this method is seen as a last resort not only because of its unsightly view and taking up space they can also pose serious environmental threats. When matter biodegrades from these landfill sites, methane gases and carbon dioxide are emitted, thus contributing to global warming. Also, water from rainfall can mix with chemicals and heavy metals in land fill sites to form a substance called leachate. If this liquid happens to run into water supplies it could potentially harm plants, animals and humans. If landfill continues to take up large spaces in the countryside or else where, soon there will be no space left, that's why now we should consider more sustainable methods of waste disposal.
 *  Why is landfill used as a method of waste disposal and what are the effects?

 How can you help minimise the amount of your waste going into landfills? ** The best way we can help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills is **RECYCLE! ** About 60-70% of household waste is biodegradable, e.g. paper, food, garden waste. These materials can all be recycled, thus reducing the amount of matter going into the sites. The government can also help by banning: hazardous and non-hazardous materials together, liquid wastes,reduce biodegradable waste sent to landfill sites. Some of these strategies have already been implemented by the Landfill Directive.  <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; color: rgb(146, 105, 42); font-size: 121%;">The effects landfill has on our world media type="youtube" key="vJ1HmzsLwqc" height="505" width="640" <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; color: rgb(146, 105, 42);"> How you can reduce, reuse and recycle media type="youtube" key="QWDJtpciqTo" height="505" width="640"

Bibliography: http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200084/851/content_0002170.html