Landfills

The European Union deposits 67 percent of its waste in landfills. In most Central and Eastern European countries this is the predominant method of waste treatment. Although landfills are intended to minimise the negative impact of waste on the environment, they have harmful effects on nature:

• The greenhouse effect is aggravated as CO₂ and methane are released in the air as by-products of degraded organic waste.

• Pesticides, organic pollutants, cyanides, nitrates and heavy metals pollute waters, especially underground.

• Further use and development of land is restricted by the presence of landfills.

• Secondary chemical processes often occur among waste elements underground, triggering the release of hazardous compounds.

Modern societies can fight the problem of waste disposal by:

• applying clean and low-waste technologies;

• producing environmentally friendly products (products made from biodegradable materials);

• implementing various programmes and projects that encourage the population to reuse and recycle materials and goods;

• introducing additional taxes for packaging; and

• increasing taxes on the allocation of land for landfills.