Why it’s Important to Keep Your Junk Out of a Landfill

There are many hassles that come with accumulated junk. It clutters up your home, stresses you out, takes up much-needed space, and can often be difficult to get rid of. As more and more people deal with an abundance of accumulated junk as a result of our consumer-driven culture, it’s becoming more and more difficult to safely get rid of these items. With the large amount of junk people often want to get rid of, disposing of them responsibly becomes more tricky, and many people end up taking the easy route by simply junking them at a local landfill. While you may think this is a quick and easy solution, it actually can cause quite a bit of harm to both the environment and people. If you were considering junking to a landfill, it’s important to be aware of why this isn’t a good idea.

Pollution

One of the biggest cases against using a landfill is the pollution it causes and its effects on local residents, plant, and animal life. This can happen in a few different ways:

• Land pollution- materials that are dumped in landfills often release toxins that can seep into the land and pollute the topsoil. This pollution can affect growth in the soil and cause permanent damage to local vegetation.
• Water pollution- junk in a landfill can also cause water pollution. Toxins from junked items can seep into the groundwater or be carried away to local drains and sewers by the rain. This contamination can cause problems for local drinking water and irrigation systems.
• Air pollution- landfills also emit toxic fumes into the air, greatly reducing air quality. One of the most dangerous gasses emitted is methane, while other particles can be released into the air, making it unsafe to breathe.
• Climate change- all of these toxic materials that are contaminating different parts of our environment can contribute to and have a negative impact on climate change. 
• Biodiversity- the pollution from landfills harms local plant and animal life which can get sick and die from their polluted environment, reducing the area’s natural biodiversity.
• Health of local residents- all of this pollution can cause health concerns for local residents, including but not limited to asthma, headaches, chronic fatigue, coughing, eye irritation, nausea and more.

So, What Can You Do?

If you can’t safely and responsibly junk items at a landfill, you are probably wondering what you can do with all your unwanted junk, and that’s where the professionals at 1st Class Junk Removal come in. Our family-run company prides itself on being environmentally aware. We always junk our clients’ items in the most environmentally responsible way possible. This means we will donate, repurpose, and recycle your items whenever possible to avoid junking at landfills. Give us a call today to see how we can help get rid of your unwanted items in a safe way!