Everyone should do their part to keep the Earth clean. After all, climate change is a global issue. For this reason, we must educate ourselves. For example, we should learn about green changes we can make in our lives to help the planet. It’s also vital to know about the most common sources of environmental waste. The more we know about this issue, the more equipped we’ll know how to control it.
Homes and Commercial Properties
Believe it or not, residential homes and commercial properties are some of the most common sources of environmental waste. Although this seems surprising at first, it makes sense if you think about it. For example, homeowners throw away lots of garbage each day. Things like toilet paper rolls, bottles and cans, plastic water bottles, and newspapers end up sitting in a landfill, causing harm to our planet.
Medical Facilities
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “any solid waste that’s used in the immunization, diagnosis, or treatment of humans or animals is considered medical waste.” Much like households across the country, doctors’ offices around the world dispose of lots of waste every year. Some examples include rubber gloves, bandages, and paper cups. These small items add up in landfills over time and cause massive problems for the environment.
Fire Protection Systems
Fire protection systems help keep buildings and people safe from disaster—and unfortunately, they also contribute to environmental waste. The waste comes from the water that’s dispersed when a fire sprinkler is activated. If left untouched, the excess water from the system may contaminate the entire building’s water supply. Luckily, backflow preventers were invented to keep this issue from happening. A backflow preventer stops the water from the fire system from flowing backward into the main water line. Though it doesn’t seem like much, these items can save you from an environmental headache.
It’s important to control the waste that gets put into the environment. Only then can we keep our planet safe. Citizens doing small tasks and making simple changes make a huge, positive impact. Be mindful of how many products you’re using throughout the day and recycle when you can. The world will be a better place for it.
