Garbage isn’t something people usually think too much about, and when I received a letter with my last garbage bill there was a statement that was concerning to me. It was: When in doubt throw it out. I thought, “What the heck is going on?” and I began to research the growing problem with recycling and garbage.
Why are we allowing corporations to continue producing plastic that isn’t 100 percent recyclable? Why are we buying products that are so overly saturated in plastic? Why is it so much more inexpensive to throw a product away and buy a new one than to fix the broken one? How did we get here?
When we throw something away, where do you think “away” is? The planet is a closed loop system, so technically, there is no “away.” Every single thing we do affects every single organism that is on our planet.
But, there is one thing that is particularly concerning to me regarding garbage (besides the huge Pacific garbage patch), and that is the nasty old habit of burning it. Burning plastic, rubber and other man-made materials creates dioxins and other dangerous toxins that end up in the air, soil and groundwater. This endangers you, your children, your neighbors, your pets, birds and fish.
These toxins create tumors, cancer, learning disorders, infertility, immune system problems, asthma and other diseases. The resulting ash is also toxic and can easily get into the ground and pollute your well water and that of your neighbors. Essentially, burning garbage poisons every living being on this planet. In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.
The dioxins and toxins burning garbage creates poison every piece of food we consume. Did you know that, while you were standing around your pile of burning garbage? Do you really care so little about what your children eat and the health of every living creature on this planet that you would continue poisoning them by burning your garbage?
You don’t have the right to cause me to get cancer because you want to illegally burn your garbage, you don’t have the right to steal the health of our entire planet from everyone and all future generations.
If you see someone violating your right to healthy clean water, air and land due to burning garbage you can file a complaint with the SW Clean Air Agency at: http://www.swcleanair.org/burning/complaints.asp. It can also be reached at: 360-574-3058, or via email at: info@swcleanair.org.
If you need help throwing your garbage “away” and if you are eligible, there is a free residential voucher you can apply for at: https://lewiscountywa.gov/publicworks/free-residential-voucher-program-4/.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulness by ending your habit of burning garbage.
Dodie Needham
Centralia
