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A comment on U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, report finds (2020). Parent comment

Re:U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, ... by alkonaut on Sunday August 01, 2021 @05:10PM (#28030017)
I'm surprised every time I hear the concept of "land fill" in conjunction with trash. As if the natural thing to do with waste is... put it in a hole in the ground? It feels like some 50's conception of environment policy to me. Shouldn't things be either recycled as much as possible, and the rest incinerated for energy?
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Re:U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, ... by bserge on Sunday August 01, 2021 @05:18PM (#28030086)
Surprisingly, no - just dumping shit in a big hole is the most environmentally friendly thing to do - least energy used, least pollution created.

The problem is having the space in some place where neither flora nor fauna will be affected.

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Re:U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, ... by alkonaut on Sunday August 01, 2021 @07:16PM (#28031174)
That’s the problem though isn’t it. Assuming trash will never be without electronics, batteries etc, it will end up in water. As far as I understand, burning in decent facilities should keep most nasty stuff out of the atmosphere and ground water (e.g heavy metals)
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Re:U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, ... by nate_meurer on Sunday August 01, 2021 @10:14PM (#28032209)
Since the late 80's, American landfills are required to be lined and equipped with water treatment facilities to preven groundwater contamination. Doesn't completely eliminate the risk of course.
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Re:U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, ... by GuB-42 on Sunday August 01, 2021 @05:40PM (#28030292)
That's how nature have dealt with trash for as long as earth has existed.

Landfills are "holes in the ground", I won't deny it. But a lot is happening in these holes, will all sorts of microorganisms breaking down stuff. Well managed landfills try to minimise impact to the environment with that knowledge.

In an oversimplified way, our landfills are putting oil back where it came from. Recycling and incineration are good too, but so are well managed landfills. It all depends on the situation/materials/...

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Re:U.S. generates more plastic trash than any other nation, ... by megablast on Sunday August 01, 2021 @05:25PM (#28030158)
The best thing is not to use something at all. Find a way to avoid buying useless stuff. Such as specialised tools. Especially in the kitchen.
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