Tracking global waste disposal trends can help businesses, households, individuals, and other waste management companies better understand where the industry is and where it might go. This blog explores just them.
Understanding waste disposal trends is essential for almost everyone. This is because we all produce waste in one form or another. Additionally, as our society develops, it will likely remain important.
Recent global trends have seen rapid growth in waste management systems. New technology and a changed attitude towards environmentally friendly waste solutions are part of this growth. That being said, the continued increase in the global population cannot be ignored.
Global Waste Disposal Trends
Global waste disposal trends follow technological innovation and a want to find more sustainable waste management solutions. While these might differ from country to country, the similarities cannot be ignored.
Understanding these trends is a great way to develop knowledge of how modern waste management companies like Cleanway function. Potential clients should read this blog to understand general waste solutions.
We’ve touched on modern waste management in several blogs. Be sure to read the ones below:
- Managing Waste in the Modern Age
- How Common E-Waste Items are Recycled
- E-Waste Management in the Modern Business Place
- 50 Modern Waste Management Solutions
Early Waste Disposal Solutions
In the past, waste management systems were rudimentary and did not have the advanced infrastructure currently associated with disposal services. At that time, these basic systems sufficed for households and small communities to manage their waste.
During the Industrial Revolution, the production and construction boom led to a surge in industrial waste and construction and demolition debris. This necessitated the safe and efficient disposal of large volumes of rubbish. The earlier systems were inadequate for handling this kind of waste effectively.
While initial solutions like landfills and burying waste were employed temporarily, they soon proved unsustainable. Consequently, the demand for large-scale waste management through municipal waste facilities increased significantly.
The Development of Waste Services
As cities experienced a surge in popularity throughout Australia in the early to mid-twentieth century, the need for private and municipal waste management services became increasingly evident. With more people came more waste, requiring proper disposal solutions.
During this time, waste infrastructure such as landfills and dumpsites emerged as the primary means of managing waste. Landfills proved efficient for containing waste and minimising human contact with it. However, concerns have been raised about their environmental impact and sustainability.
Global Waste Initiative and Policies
Global waste initiatives and policies have come about as part of an effort to challenge the effect of greenhouse gas emissions and other carbon dioxide emissions. They seek to have the whole world working together on this task.
Circular Waste Economies
A circular waste economy reduces the creation of waste by providing alternative options. We are actively searching for new ways to repurpose materials without indulging in the wasteful act of disposal.
All these different systems take scrap materials and convert them into something safe for consumption.
In an effort to combat waste, both the government and corporate sectors in Australia are working together.
Disposal companies have gone so far as to develop a scheme to retrieve old products, as well as redesigning them so they can be recycled more efficiently. All these products supposedly work towards the eradication of waste, and in doing so assist in saving Earth.
New Innovations
The world is a constantly changing sphere, as new inventions are introduced, and technologies have no exception to this rule.
These new innovations include sophisticated rubbish bins, automated waste sorting machines, and energy plants that utilise waste as fuel. Such innovations aid in the productivity and efficiency of waste management systems.
Adoption of new technologies has been at the forefront of attention in Australia. For instance, sensor smart rubbish bins have begun appearing in major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
The sensors will help optimise route planning for waste collection as well, enabling lower operational costs. Also, new plants designed for converting waste into energy are under construction. This allows for a solution to two problems: waste disposal and energy.
Use Of Plastic
The world is trying to minimise the use of disposable plastic items due to the negligence in tackling the grave effects these products have on the ecosystem.
As a consequence, several countries have implemented bans or restrictions on the use of plastic bags and straws.
Australia has contributed towards minimising plastic pollution. Various states and territories have implemented measures against the use of single-use plastic shopping bags and straws.
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) works with other stakeholders in improving packaging and conducts campaigns to minimise plastic use for the purpose of increasing public awareness.
Responsibility Of The Producer
Businesses have to take proper care of the product starting from the moment of production to the point when the product has served its purpose, and even beyond.
This is called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It is effective as a reimbursement method to assist businesses in being more responsible by designing products that are recyclable or easy to dispose of.
Australia is seeing an increase in EPR schemes. E.g. both the NTCRS (National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme) and the Australian Packaging Covenant are EPR schemes that seek to enhance recycling and reduce waste.
These schemes transfer a portion of the burden to manufacturers by requiring them to cover the costs of recycling and preventing the improper disposal of their products.
Addressing Waste Reduction
To this day, many cities and communities around the world are encouraged to change their composting, recycling, and repurposing strategies through the use of the zero waste movement, which seeks aid in eliminating the excess waste in places like landfills. Simply put, the zero waste movement is about no waste creation and maximum resource utilisation.
In Australia, a number of cities and communities have tried implementing different methods to accomplish a zero waste goal. For instance, the Melbourne City Council has adopted a practice called “Zero Waste Strategy” with the goal of reducing the amount of waste put in landfills. Their primary focus is on persuading residents and businesses to undertake more sustainable practices.
Waste Management Systems
Efficient disposal of waste can be done by using waste management systems. These businesses are adept at dealing with food, organic, electronic, and many more types of wastes which are disposed improperly. Such as traditional analog systems of disposal are not acceptable.
The appropriate disposal of waste is handled in cooperation with the local recycling centres to enhance effectiveness.
These businesses are crucial in ensuring that the future of waste disposal is handled properly for centres that focus on recycling, instead of relying on landfills.
Cleanway is available if you prefer more information on how we can assist your business or home in getting their waste systems in order.