The history of solid-waste on a global level is one that cannot be summed up with much brevity. This is due to the diverse nature of the many nations of the world. There are vast differences caused by economic, social and regional differences, which ultimately effects the populations interaction with their environments. The major developments either positive or negative in terms of waste management have mainly been motivated by economic changes. Industrial development in nations is usually closely linked to an increase in solid waste. However, these industrial developments can also lead towards the development of new technologies which can better deal with waste management.
Two major changes in recent history which have had the largest effects on waste management haven taken place in the European Union and in the developing world. In April of 1999, the EU implemented what was called the Landfill Directive (Council Directive 1999/31/EC.) With the ambitious goals of decreasing the negative effects especially from landfills. It put into place a Landfill Tax as well as legislation for landfill violations. This has motivated the UK and other leading European nations to look towards alternate technologies. The other large trend which has begun to change global waste management is the rise of China and other third world nations. As developing countries continue to grow, waste is most often greatly increased, and the ways in which this waste is different on a case by case basis. The reason that China worries many environmentalists is due to their lack of restrictions on pollution and waste.
1) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31999L0031:EN:NOT
1 comment:
Keely Schneider
As a highly developed country with a history of heavy pollution, I believe the US should be the country to spear-head alternative solid waste solutions. Instead of getting upset with other countries for being inactive, we should be setting the example and making large scale changes. One such change is utilizing more biodegradable materials and developing new ways of degrading waste using bugs and worms.
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