Environmental Science Question: What are some of the consequences caused by trash in our cities and landfills

Question

I am familiar with point source/non-point source contaminations; but is there any correlations between wastes found in landfills, and global warming?

Are there any other dilemmas related to waste disposal?

Answer 1

Waste in landfills generates methane gas which is a greenhouse gas. Some landfill operations burn this gas off -- seen as a bright flare burning day and night. Some landfills collect this gas and sell it as a fuel. Methane gas can also escape from landfills and enter the atmosphere.

Other problems associated with landfills:
1. Landfill liners may fail and the leachate may leak into the groundwater.
2. Landfills take up space, reducing habitat.
3. Landfills can be the source of odor and windblown litter.
4. The many trucks visiting the landfill cause compaction, erosion, and noise pollution.

Answer 2

Stinkin flood waters, running rats arround, sickness caused by dirty environment. Luckily, I live in the mountains, never saw what it looks like to be in the cities