The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is a state agency that is responsible for the enforcement of environmental laws in Texas, including enforcing licensing requirements for landfills, among other responsibilities.
The TCEQ voted unanimously to adopt the state’s first state-wide rules governing the operation of waste facilities in Texas. The rules were created in response to Texas residents’ efforts to raise awareness about the state of landfills.
According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas landfills received more than 73 million tons of waste in 2012. The state’s population is expected to grow by 20 percent in the next 20 years along with the amount of trash.
The Environmental Hazards Of Landfills
The biggest environmental hazard of landfills is an airborne pollutant called methane. This is a greenhouse gas and contributes to global warming, just like CO2. The anaerobic decomposition of biodegradable waste produces methane without oxygen.
This is why landfills are surrounded by a layer of impermeable material and covered with a thick layer of soil to prevent the gas from escaping. The methane is then collected and used for energy production. However, not all landfills are gas-controlled. Some landfills in Texas are surrounded with barbed wire and patrolled by armed guards to prevent people from scavenging for valuable items inside.
The Use Of Landfills In Texas
Landfills in the US are everywhere, including near Dallas. Since the total amount of waste generated by the people in the US has increased and the landfills are filling up, landfills have begun offering incentives to reduce waste and increase recycling. Texas has the most trash in the country.
Every man, woman, and child in the state makes 25.5 pounds of trash per year. Texas must do more recycling and less landfilling. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) must enforce such programs to ensure the availability of landfills for future generations.
How Do Landfills Get Polluted
According to Irving waste management experts, Texas landfills pollute land and water in two ways: by damaging the soil and by leaking liquid waste. In a landfill, the waste is gradually covered by more waste, and then the land is added around it. The waste is normally not mixed but is piled up in layers. If a landfill is old and not well-managed, the waste may not be mixed. The weight of the waste piles on top causes them to compact.
Water gets trapped in this compact waste, and it mixes with the waste. When the waste is compacted, the spaces between the waste particles get filled up as well. So, when the land around the landfill is dug up, it is likely to be very hard. The soil is damaged due to the amount of waste added to the landfill.
Minimise The Amount Of Trash Going To A Landfill
REDUCE: The simplest way to reduce garbage is to reduce the amount of waste you generate by shopping efficiently and not buying things you don’t need. If you want something, think before buying, and avoid making impulse purchases.
RECYCLE: Nearly everything is recyclable these days. In the case of items that aren’t worth recycling, try to use them until your local trash pickup day (so that you don’t have to pay for the convenience of recycling).
REUSE: Reusing something you have is a great way to reduce waste since if you hadn’t bought it in the first place, there would be no need to throw it out. In particular, if you reuse packaging, you can save money and reduce trash. Be careful, however, because some things can only be used once, like paper or milk cartons.
The Biggest Issues That Are Affecting The Landfills
The population has grown tremendously across Texas, and with it, the amount of waste generated has grown dramatically. The Texan landfills have been filling up at a rate that is sometimes extremely alarming. There were 2 billion tons of waste generated worldwide, which was more than the previous year.
This is not just garbage; this waste is everything from newspapers to the leftover food from your fridge. Landfills pose a serious threat to the environment. The situation of landfills in Texas is quite alarming. But take care of it with the help of a well-developed plan.
This plan is based on the 3 R’s: reducing, reuse, and recycle. Use these three steps to ensure that the landfills do not pose an environmental risk. The population is increasing daily, and with it, the amount of waste is also increasing. If the 3 R’s are used, there is no reason why it wouldn’t solve this in a few years.
How Can You Help Reduce The Amount Of Trash Going To Landfills
Texas landfills are overloaded, and it’s becoming a serious problem that is raising our attention. Using a compost bin, it’ll help reduce the amount of trash and make it easier for decomposition. A compost bin can greatly reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Compost bins are cheap and easy to assemble.
All you need to do is put organic waste in the bin, wait for a couple of months and turn the compost bin a few times, unless you rent a dumpster for yard waste. The compost will be ready for use in a few months. Only organic materials can be used for the compost bin, though.
The best way to reduce the amount of trash that goes to a landfill is to reduce, reuse, and recycle, possibly with a dumpster rental. It is a simple concept that everyone can do.
You can reduce the amount of trash you create by not buying items with a lot of packaging. For example, buying a big can of peanut butter from the bulk section at the store instead of a small jar from the shelf. You can reuse items by donating them or giving them to friends and family. You can recycle recyclable items by placing them in the recycling bins or by renting a dumpster.