Dear MEL Topic Readers,
A rubbish story: China's mega-dump full 25
years ahead of schedule
The amount and type of waste seem to indicate
how economic growth and the environment are managed. As more goods are ordered by
individuals online, more packaging materials are used per item. Indeed, as online
retailers generate more business, they also create more trash. Also,
supermarkets and convenience stores alike tend to create more trash as each
item they sell is wrapped and packaged for convenience and easier handling. Such
retailing practices seem to have produced much more trash in China than previously
predicted. A quarter-century ago when a huge landfill site, the size of about
100 football fields, was opened near the ancient capital of Xian in Shaanxi
Province, it was designed to accept trash for 50 years. However, it is already
full after 25 years. Now, several incineration facilities are being constructed
to take more trash than being disposed of daily. But how long will they last?
Also, what about the environmental impacts of burning trash? It seems to depend
on how the waste is sorted, collected and processed as well as the society as a
while work out to reduce, recycle and reuse waste.
Enjoy reading the text and think about how economic
growth and the environment can be balanced.
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