Allison Burbach- Waste Management (4/10)

 I wrote my term paper on the sustainability challenges of waste management. Currently, our unsustainable waste management processes follow the linear economy model in which we take materials from the Earth, make products, and throw them away as waste. This process exploits finite resources and damages the environment all while losing valuable materials to landfills. Sustainable waste management would follow the circular economy model that is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature. Landfills and incinerators pose major environmental and health risks, while recycling has a limited capacity and market value. Existing waste management systems and the ingrained cultural views on waste prevent advancements in sustainable waste management.


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