Facts Relating To Waste Disposal Houston TX Residents Need To Understand

By Brenda Cox


The United States produces approximately 220 million tons of various tons of trash annually. This the highest anywhere in the world and for this reason presents a huge challenge for those that are charged with managing it. There are several methods that have been developed in dealing with this problem. If they have plans of undertaking waste disposal Houston TX residents need to know several things in advance.

Some of the common methods that may be used include landfills, recycling, fermentation, reuse, land application, source reduction, composting and animal feeding among others. The use of landfills is by far the most popular because of the ease with which it can be used. It has become common practice to treat the trash before getting rid of it so as to minimize on environmental degradation.

There has been a steady reduction in the use of landfills as an option of disposal. Among the contributing factors for this shift is the existence of methods that are more ecofriendly. Landfills have been said to contribute to the release of some harmful gases such as methane. These gases damage the ozone layer and contribute to global warming.

Combustion or incineration is another widely used form of disposal. The manner in which this is done varies from one place to another. There are differences in the techniques that are employed at household level and at municipal level. The main downside of combustion is the release of harmful fumes into the environment. This is why some countries tightly regulate the practice.

Recovery and recycling are two related methods that have been highly advocated for by environmental conservationists. Recovery is a process in which items that have been set aside for disposal are reclaimed and put to new use. It is not uncommon for the items to be used for the production of energy such as electricity, fuel and heat. Recycling is a method in which newer products are produced from older ones and put into good use.

Another method that one may consider is what is referred to as plasma gasification. This is a method in which electrically charged (ionized) gases are used in changing the state of matter. Solid or liquid refuse is converted to syngas with the use of very high temperatures. This method is now considered a source of renewable energy. The main downside is that it may not be an option to be used at household level.

Composting is another simple option that can be used by anyone. In this method, the waste is subjected to a natural bio-degradation process. This means that the waste must be biodegradable. Examples of refuse that falls in this category include plant remains, animal excreta and kitchen waste among others. Composting is mainly used to provide a source of organic fertilizer and not necessarily as a disposal option.

Reduction of wastage remains the most effective way of controlling refuse. Ensure that old items are repaired and reused instead of rushing to acquire new ones straight away. There is a need to drastically cut down on disposable items like plastic bags and opt for those that can be used over and over. It is important to engage the services of an expert when handling biomedical waste and other hazardous materials.




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