DUMPING

DUMP
WHAT IS ILLEGAL DUMPING?
Illegal dumping is disposal of waste
in an unpermitted area. It is also
referred to as open dumping, fly
dumping and midnight dumping
because materials are often dumped
in open areas from vehicles along
roadsides and late at night. Illegally
dumped wastes are primarily non
hazardous materials that are dumped
to avoid either disposal. These
materials typically include
1. Construction and demolition waste
such as drywall, roofing shingles,
lumber, bricks, concrete and siding.
2. Abandoned automobiles, auto parts
and scrap tires.
WHO ILLEGALLY DUMPS WASTE?
It is difficult to profile a
typical illegal dumper.
However offenders can
include:-
1. Construction, demolition,
remodeling, roofing or
landscaping contractors.
2. Waste management
companies or general
hauling contractors.
3. Operators or transfer
stations or junkyards.
4. Automobile repair or tire
shops.
5. Scrap collectors.
6. Local residents and do-it-
yourselfers.
The health risk associated with illegal dumping are significant. Areas
used for illegal dumping may be easily accessible to people, especially
children who are vulnerable to the physical and chemical hazards posed
by wastes. Rodents, insects, and other vermin attracted to dump sites may
also pose health risk. Dump sites with scrap tires provide an ideal
breeding ground for mosquitos which can multiply 100 times faster than
normal in the warm, stagnant water standing in the scrap tire casings.
Severe illnesses including encephalitis and dengue fever have been
attributed to disease- carrying mosquitoes originating from scrap tire
piles. In addition countless neighborhoods have been evacuated and
property damage has been significant because of dump sites that caught
fire, either by spontaneous combustion or more commonly by arson.
Illegal dumping can impact proper drainage of runoff, making areas more
susceptible to flooding when wastes block ravines, creeks, culverts and
drainage basins. In rural areas open burning at dump sites can cause
forest fires and severe erosion as fire burn away trees and undergrowth.
Dumping activities in such areas can also have a negative impact on
plants and wildlife. Additionally runoff from dump sites containing
chemicals may contaminate wells and surface water used as source of
drinking water.
DEVELOPI NG A PREVENTI ON PROGRAM
Any illegal dumping prevention program must address the
contributing factors in the area where it is implemented.
However successful programs are founded on
1. Leadership and support by local officials
2. Cooperation among authorities, communities and industry
3. An integrated approach
4. Publicizing success

LANDFILL
A landfill site is a site for the
disposal of waste material by
burial and is the oldest form of
waste treatment. It is also known
as tip, dump, rubbish dump or
dumping ground. Landfills have
been the most common
methods of organized waste
disposal and remain so in many
places around the world. Some
landfills are also used for waste
management purposes, such as
the temporary storage,
consolidation and transfer or
processing of waste material
(sorting, treatment, recycling.)
Recently, Goan celebrities, including got together in Panaji to voice their
grievances against the governments attitude. They were particularly
concerned about the cultural programs planned on Panajis Miramar
beach on the sidelines of the 36
th
International Film Festival of India.
These events generate loads of garbage. Not surprisingly while the
government changed the venue to avoid traffic problems, the garbage
problem-especially the plastic bottles and biodegradable garbage from
food stalls-has been completely ignored. Goans have increased the
pressure on the government and are taking steps to tackle the problem in
on their own. Villages all over Goa have formed Citizens Action
Committees-the latest being in Bastora, a village in South Goa-to prevent
dumping of garbage in their areas. Some individuals and colonies have
set up their own vermicomposting plants. Patricia Pinto led the way by
setting up a plant which takes cares of 25 kg of garbage from nearby
houses everyday in her residence. Citizens have also stated segregating
garbage.

The pity of the matter is that Goa is so tiny (at 3,705 sq km) that it needs
only one or two garbage dumps and a solid waste management system to
process and deal with the garbage.
BLACK GOWN STITCHED WITH PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS
Well known fashion designer
Wendell Rondricks, who has
been at the forefront of the
campaign for a proper waste
management policy says, The
frequent change of government
in Goa has put governance on
the backburner. Peoples
problems become secondary as
politicians plot to defect and pull
a government down. In the
ongoing Blenders Pride
fashion tour, Wendell
shocked audience by
bringing garbage onto the
ramp, so to speak. In my
white collection, I designed a
black gown with plastic
garbage bags stitched on to
it. He was hoping to shame
the government into doing
something.
WAYS TO SAVE MOTHER EARTH
Today many governments and organizations are trying to clean up the
environment. Agenda 21 was adopted by many countries in 1992. It is a clean
up plan that encourages people to reduce, reuse and recycle. More and
more people are using reusable bags and containers and long life
bulbs and tires. Recycled aluminum cans and glass are made into new
products. Companies are looking into ways to use recycled materials
and reduce the weight and volume of packaging. Offices are recycling
paper, saving trees and money. Manufacturers instating waste
reduction changes, reducing not only trash but saving in waste
disposal costs.
Today garbage pollution is a major problem for peoples health and the world
economy and increasing volumes of garbage is shrinking precious living
space. Work should be done to reduce and remove garbage, and enforce
garbage removal laws. Governments, industries, organizations and
individuals need to come together urgently to stop this mounting crisis and
save Mother Earth.