Reduce Landfill Waste: What Materials End Up in Landfills?
Each year, a staggering 9.5 million tonnes of edible food waste and the vast majority of food waste ends up in UK landfills from households alone.
This wasted food has the same CO2 impact as taking 1 in 4 cars off UK roads. Landfills also receive waste from commercial and industrial sectors, totalling around 14 million tonnes annually.
What is Landfill?
A landfill is a designated area where waste materials are buried and left to decompose over time. As organic matter like food waste decomposes, it produces landfill gas composed of roughly 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Landfills also generate leachate, a toxic liquid that can pollute the environment.
Common Landfill Materials
Some common materials that end up in landfills include:
- Food waste
- Plastic packaging
- Paper and cardboard
- Yard waste
- Construction and demolition debris
- Furniture and appliances
While some of these materials could be recycled or composted, a significant portion still ends up in landfills due to improper disposal or lack of recycling facilities.
Alternatives to Landfills
To reduce the environmental impact of landfills, we need to pursue a circular economy where materials are recycled, reused, and repurposed. Some alternatives to landfills include:
- Composting organic waste
- Recycling plastics, paper, glass, and metals
- Using compostable packaging made from plant-based materials
- Donating or repurposing furniture and appliances
By diverting waste from landfills and embracing a circular economy, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and protect our environment.
Time to Take Action
To help keep materials out of landfills, consider composting food waste, recycling as much as possible, and choosing sustainable, compostable packaging options like those offered by Sylvicta.
Small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference in reducing landfill waste.
Learn more about Sylvicta’s values, applications, and versatility here.
