Most waste that does not go to composting or recycling facilities end up in the landfill while a small portion goes to incinerators. These piles of waste contain many toxins and release lots of greenhouse gases. There is no oxygen in these heaps, so any food waste or compostable materials that ended up in the landfill produces large amounts of methane, contributing to global warming. Landfills can also pollute water sources by releasing harmful chemicals. As water passes through, is absorbs water soluble compunds from many of the plastics that are thrown away. Some of these compounds are lethal. These chemicals then travel everywhere the water goes, destroying ecosystems and harming wildlife. This is why we are encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Some things you can do to decrease your trash production inculde using reusable waterbottles and coffee mugs, buying produce in resuable cotton bags, bringing reusable tote bags to the store, refuse plastic cutlery if you're ordering takeout from a restaurant, etc.
