Healthcare waste management decision makers and influencers must choose from a number of disposal options to deal with this growing environmental burden. Recycling is one of the most effective alternative waste management solutions, and without it, garbage winds up either buried in a landfill or incinerated at a waste-to-energy facility. All of the above. . Non-regulated mixed plastic waste represents a large portion of the solid waste generated by healthcare facilities. The EPA reports that recycling can help reduce the effects of global climate change, so not recycling may also contribute to increased climate change. Recycling contamination has negative economic and environmental effects, which we’re about to address. The effects of recycling include lower energy consumption, less waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and more preservation of natural resources. Recycling paper takes less energy than make new paper products from trees. When items are recycled, as much as 95 percent of the energy used to produce a new item is saved. But sometimes the theory is better than the practice. # 2 / 4. Recycling can also have an impact on economics, job creation and tax revenue. All together, the amount of waste generated affects the environment in multiple ways: its contribution to the worsening climate crisis, its negative impact on wildlife and the natural environment, and its detriment to our very own public health. Placing acceptable materials in the bin when they’re soiled or filled with food. This is why more stringent implementation must be followed. Compared with 2015 levels, it was a 5.7 million increase. When recycling companies abandon dump sites, waste left lying around can have environmental effect. Contamination is one of the biggest obstacles in the recycling industry right now. What recycling programs should be teaching us is how to reduce consumption across the board instead of encouraging us to minimize our negative impact in a vicious cycle. Placing wet items or materials that still contain liquid in the bin. On the surface, it’s still a good idea to both: recycle waste and design products and packaging with the intention to have them recycled. The recycling process produces some carbon emissions, which can contribute to the greenhouse effect if … . Recycling is most often prevalent in homes, schools, and some office parks. As Compared to Other Waste Disposal Methods. The Negative Impacts of Recycling Contamination. Recycling can have an adverse effect on health and the environment when not done properly. I cover innovation at the intersection of health & the environment. Posted on May 24, 2019 September 25, 2020 Author Kathryn Crenzi Posted in Blogs Recycling contamination occurs when people attempt to recycle unrecyclable materials or place items in the wrong recycling container. if it works. It could be argued that the U.S. environmental movement started with recycling. Debris and toxic waste that is improperly handled can contaminate land, air and the environment. So by opting to recycling, we are minimizing the use of energy, which can also decrease pollution, minimize health risk and help the economy. 3. This article is more than 8 years old. 5. This impact is rather small compared to the massive amounts of waste and deforestation taking place on an industrial-type level. Here are ten ways recycling actually hurts the environment. Even transporting these materials from their source takes a significant amount of energy. The kind of recycling that occurs is putting used paper products into blue bins and hauling them away for reuse. And yeah, re-using old materials is a great way to reduce the impact on the environment . Some of the negative effects of recycling plastic include: If not done right, VOCs released during the melting down of plastic can be harmful to both animal and plant life nearby. Environmental Impacts of Recycling.