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Landfill

Landfill is the concept of emerged with the growth of human settlements and became widespread especially after the industrial revolution. While garbage was carried out of the city in ancient Rome, in medieval Europe, the lack of waste management began to cause major health problems. With the Industrial Revolution, the amount of waste increased in cities and in the early 20th century, modern landfills began to spread. In the 1930s, the “sanitary landfill” system, in which garbage was covered with soil, was developed in the USA, and from the 1970s onwards, environmental regulations tightened and the concepts of recycling and sustainability began to come to the fore.

Waste management is carried out worldwide within a certain set of rules. The steps in the set of rules are listed as ‘Reduce’, ‘Refuse’, ‘Reuse’, ‘Repair’, ‘Recycle’ and finally ‘Dispose’. In this article, we will first explain the waste management steps we mentioned, then talk about the ‘Dispose’ step and learn about the landfills on earth in detail.

Step by Step Waste Management

Reduce: The first step of waste management, reduce, aims to prevent waste generation from the very beginning by consciously limiting consumption. Consuming less, avoiding unnecessary packaging, and choosing durable and long-lasting products are the basic elements of this strategy.

For example, while large retail chains offer reusable bags to reduce plastic use, many technology companies are trying to reduce product packaging and use recyclable materials. On an individual level, buying as much food as we need and turning to reusable alternatives instead of single-use products can be given as examples of the reduce approach’s applications in daily life.

Refuse: The second step of waste management, refuse, refers to consciously refusing to use unnecessary or environmentally damaging products to prevent waste generation from the very beginning. This includes products that increase waste, especially single-use plastics, unnecessary packaging, and synthetic materials that cannot be decomposed in nature.

For example, choosing to drink without a straw instead of a single-use plastic straw in a coffee shop or carrying your own cloth bag instead of buying plastic bags in stores can be given as simple but effective examples of the refuse approach. Companies can also adopt this strategy and prefer digital communication methods instead of unnecessary brochures or prevent waste generation from the beginning by using sustainable materials.

Reuse: The third step of waste management, reuse, is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste. It aims to use a product over and over again instead of making it disposable. This approach encourages sustainable consumption habits at both individual and institutional levels.

For example, using glass jars as storage containers over and over again instead of throwing them away, choosing refillable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles, or buying and giving away second-hand clothes are all in line with the reuse principle. Companies can also adopt this method and reuse cardboard boxes or prefer refillable toner and ink cartridges in their offices. In this way, resource consumption is reduced and the damage to the environment is also reduced.

Repair: The fourth step of waste management, repair, refers to repairing items that have not reached the end of their useful life but are damaged or have lost their function and returning them to use again. This approach prevents unnecessary consumption, both reducing resource waste and preventing waste generation.

For example, sewing a torn piece of clothing to continue wearing, repairing a broken electronic device, or repairing and using damaged furniture are examples of the repair concept in daily life. Many technology companies now encourage their products to last longer by offering spare parts and repair kits. Similarly, automobile and white goods manufacturers are trying to support sustainability by developing designs that make repairs easier.

Recycle: Recycle, the fifth step of waste management, allows used materials to be processed into new raw materials through industrial processes. Recycling not only reduces waste, but also contributes to the protection of natural resources and energy saving. However, it should not be forgotten that the recycling process also requires energy and resources; therefore, the reduce, refuse, reuse, and repair stages should be prioritized before recycling.

For example, reprocessing plastic bottles into synthetic textile products and melting glass bottles to make new glassware are some examples of recycle processes. Today, many countries are trying to make waste management more sustainable by developing recycling systems. Companies are also trying to support this process with steps such as producing their waste from recyclable materials or preferring recycled raw materials in their production processes.

Dispose: The sixth step of waste management, dispose, refers to the process of destroying, eliminating or throwing away waste materials. Dispose aims to remove waste without harming or polluting the environment. This process involves the correct collection, processing and disposal of waste.

However, since the dispose process can often have negative effects on the environment, this step should be done after alternative methods such as recycling, reuse or repair. Dispose is usually done by burning, burying or special disposal processes. Correct waste management helps protect natural resources and aims to reduce environmental impacts.

For example, the disposal of used batteries as hazardous waste in special facilities or the disposal of plastic waste by burning are examples of dispose processes. In these processes, very careful management is required to minimize environmental impacts.

The Place of Upcycling in Waste Management

Upcycling is the process of making old or waste materials more valuable and functional through creative and innovative ways. This process, unlike recycling, goes beyond just turning materials into raw materials; old products are transformed into new and more valuable products. For example, old furniture can be painted and renewed, bags or decorative objects can be made from old textiles. In addition, new designs can be created from plastic bottles, or glass bottles can be turned into decorative products without melting them as in recycling. This process both protects the environment and encourages creativity, creating aesthetically and functionally valuable products. Upcycling contributes to sustainability and creates economic opportunities at the same time.

However, upcycling is unfortunately not recognized among waste management rule sets worldwide. The main reason for this is that upcycling is more dependent on manual labor than industrial processes. This situation suggests that a process that depends on humans is unlikely to have great impacts, so it is not included in waste management steps. As Reppatch, we believe that the more people apply the methods, the greater the impact they can have, and we advocate that upcycling should come before recycling, and we work together with our community for this.

Let’s Get to the Topic, Landfill

Dumpsite (or Waste Storage Area): An area where garbage and waste are collected, usually located in large-scale areas, and used for the disposal of waste. These areas are reserved for the regular storage of waste, sometimes for rotting, burying underground, or burning at certain intervals. Landfills try to ensure that waste is collected in a controlled manner in order to protect natural resources. However, their environmental effects are generally negative; because waste in these areas can emit harmful gases such as methane gas and pollute underground water resources.

Before the examples of landfills that we will give in the rest of our article, we should state that landfills have quite negative effects on the people in the regions where they are located. As we have previously stated in our article “Dandora Landfill“, air pollution in the region has negative effects on the health of the people, causing problems such as skin diseases and respiratory diseases.

Local people around landfills generally create new business opportunities by separating the wastes that are suitable for second-hand sale or recyclable materials that accumulate in these areas. This process demonstrates the power of collective work and the ability of communities to create economic value. Such practices not only reduce environmental impact, but also provide significant opportunities for the local economy. However, these processes are carried out in a way that is quite dangerous in terms of occupational safety.

Dandora Landfill – Nairobi, Kenya

Dandora Landfill is one of the largest and oldest landfills in Nairobi. The landfill accepts millions of tons of waste per year, most of which is household waste as well as textile waste. Old clothes, unused or discarded textiles are sent here in particular. As of 2015, the landfill handles approximately 2,000 tons of waste per day.

Jardim Gramacho Landfill – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Located in Brazil, Jardim Gramacho was the largest landfill in Rio de Janeiro. Although it closed in 2012, most of the waste accumulated at this landfill is household waste, but textile waste also makes up a large portion. Old clothes, T-shirts and other textiles are particularly common.

Olusosun Landfill – Lagos, Nigeria

Olusosun Landfill is one of the largest landfills in Lagos, receiving 3,000 tons of waste every day. Most of this waste consists of household waste and textiles. Textile waste, old clothes and surplus fabrics are a major problem in Lagos.

Puente Hills Landfill – Los Angeles, USA

Puente Hills, Los Angeles was once the largest landfill in the United States. After it closed in 2013, the site has continued to accumulate large amounts of plastic and textile waste. It is mostly second-hand clothing and old clothes.

Laogang Landfill – Shanghai, China

Laogang Landfill is one of the largest landfills in Shanghai, receiving 10,000 tons of waste daily. This waste consists of household, commercial and industrial waste. However, textile waste is a particularly important one. Rapid consumption and textile production in China cause most of the waste to consist of such products.

Great Pacific Garbage Patch – Pacific Ocean

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a huge waste area located in the Pacific Ocean and is the largest ocean waste accumulation in the world. This area covers approximately 1.6 million square kilometers (approximately twice the size of Turkiye) and its surface looks like a “garbage island” made up of various wastes. In addition to plastic waste, textile waste also has an important place in the content of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In conclusion, although landfills have existed as a part of waste management for many years, it is clearly realized that this solution is not sustainable when its environmental and social impacts are considered. Regular storage of waste increases environmental pollution and greatly threatens the health of local people. Creative approaches such as upcycling not only protect the environment but also provide economic opportunities for communities. Therefore, sustainable and innovative solutions in waste management should be at the forefront, upcycling processes should come before recycling, and steps should be taken for an environmentally friendly future with the collective power of communities.

Reppatch

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