Introduction
Waste management is a global challenge that requires very serious attention. In the midst of rapid population growth and urbanization, the problem of handling waste is becoming increasingly complex because the increasing population also means that waste production will increase and continue to increase. In this context, waste contributes significantly to its negative impact on the environment and human health. Therefore, increased awareness and implementation of innovative solutions are necessary to address this problem in a sustainable manner. Here I will discuss a method and the steps that can help a little of the waste problem.
Discussion
What's the first thing you think of when you hear the word "trash"? Maybe it just sounds trivial and is often not taken seriously. However, did you know that waste is one of the main actors in destroying the ecosystem and destroying the beauty of our earth. Two-thirds of used plastic waste will quickly become waste, then pollute the environment and even enter the human food chain in the form of microplastics. In Indonesia, out of 19.45 million tons of waste generated in 2022, 18.4 percent is plastic waste.
So many big disasters are caused by waste, such as:
- Floods are caused by rubbish that clogs waterways and pollutes rivers so that the water flowing in the river cannot flow smoothly, which ultimately causes the water to overflow the river and flood people's houses.
- Apart from that, burning waste is also a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. If waste is not managed properly and burned openly, CO2 emissions and other toxic chemical compounds are released into the atmosphere, which can contribute to global warming effects.
- Garbage also makes an important contribution to the damage to marine ecosystems because plastic waste pollutes the ocean and marine biota will be contaminated with rubbish, causing many deaths. In several cases, it was found that whales died due to consuming a lot of plastic waste, and coral reefs that were polluted with waste would disrupt photosynthesis and ultimately cause the death of coral reefs.
What The Solutions ?
As we can see, some of the pictures above show terrible disasters and huge losses that have been caused by plastic waste. Common methods such as burning rubbish, landfilling rubbish and recycling rubbish are also less effective and do not cause the rubbish to simply disappear. Therefore, as inhabitants of the earth, humans should think that what they have done is what has caused damage to their own earth. They should be aware that the continuous use of plastic waste will result in more disasters and losses that will also happen to themselves. Then what kind of things can we do to help reduce plastic waste? I am aware that it is impossible for this method to work 100% and eliminate all waste just like that, but at least non-degradable waste can become something more attractive, useful, and more beautiful to look at.
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Method
So the method I will explain is the recycling method, but it's not done in a factory; instead, you can do/practice it yourself at home. This method involves collecting various plastic waste, then selecting waste that can be recycled or can be turned into new items. Recycling waste into crafts involves steps such as waste sorting, cleaning, and transforming recycled materials into creative products. Start by gathering recyclable materials, such as paper, plastic, or old fabric. Then, tailor the craft design to the type of waste used. This creative process may involve techniques like cutting, sewing, or sticking to form the final product.
