Causes+of+Solid+Waste

There are many causes of solid waste. When someone drops trash into a stream, this stream may lead to a river and the river may lead to the ocean. All water (in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds etc.) is going somewhere. When this water is polluted the pollution will spread if the water is running. Oil spills in the ocean kill many animals and hurt our environment.
 * Causes and Effects of Solid Waste**

Another cause of solid waste is paper mills. Paper mills are built next to rivers so. Though they don't pollute the rivers as much as they used to, they still are a small part of water pollution. But not all of this pollution goes into the river--they also have a chimney so they can let some of the chemicals from their factory pollute our air.
 * __Paper Mills__**

Solid waste damages many different aspects of our environment. When people are out in fishing boats, they carelessly dump trash into the ocean. Though this is illegal, no one can stop them. These people are probably not thinking about what they are doing to the environment when they put this trash in the water. Sea turtles like to eat jelly fish, and when they see a clear plastic bag floating in the water they may mistake it for a jelly fish (and eat it). This bag is indigestible and soon will starve the sea turtle to death. Sea turtles also enjoy eating cabbages. They make mistake litter floating on the top of the water for a cabbage and choke on it.Around the late time of fall, many dying sea turtles are found laying on the beahces and are brought to rehabilitation. Another issue is that the birds and other animals on the beaches may get plastic netting or other kinds of solid waste tangled around them. After they struggle to get out for a long time, they will probably give up and die. Basgo has a large fishing community and they need to educate members of the Town's Fishermen's Association of the damage they are creating to their environment.
 * __Fishermen__**

Our community depends on a lot of battery power. We use batteries a lot more than we need to. Though people probably don't think about this, when these batteries are dumped into a landfill, the chemicals inside them leak and pollute the land, water and air. When too much of this pollution gets into the air it may become a hazard not just to the animals but to the people.
 * __Batteries__**

Basgo’s main industry is a paint company called Olde Mill Paints. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air due to the pollution of paints and finishes. They release toxic fumes into the air for years after they are applied to walls. The cans must be carefully disposed of in order to prevent more pollution, as paint is considered hazardous waste. Basgo needs to have an organized trash system so Olde Mill Paints doesn’t pollute the river or land that it is near.
 * __Paint__**

Basgo has many dairy and horse farms that line the river. The solid waste that comes from these farms can cause great damage to the environment. Runoff from the farms can contain harmful pollutants that may run into the river. When the manure decomposes, the oxygen level in the water is decreased. Fish and other aquatic animals can suffocate without the necessary oxygen. The manure runoff’s pollution strength is two to four times stronger than raw sewage. The manure can also pollute drinking water. Nitrates that pollute the water have caused babies to develop a syndrome which impairs their bloodstream from being able to carry oxygen.
 * __Farm Waste__**

Regular citizens create a large solid waste problem. For most people, it just seems easier to throw their trash on the ground instead of walking an extra foot to the trash can. Population growth will increase the amount of trash in Basgo. If they build a new development with 150 single-family homes, there will be a large increase in the number of people in Basgo—and more people equals more trash. Especially since the development is planned to be placed on the river, the solid waste will be even worse. The new industrial park, also to be placed on the river, will bring even more hazardous waste from industries. With a new road and bridge, more trash will start to be thrown out of the windows of moving cars. On the bridge, the solid waste will most likely end up in the river. Basgo is known to be a beautiful town in Maine. It is a popular spot for canoists, kayakers, paddlers, and sailors. They enjoy the waters at the fall, rapids, and mouth of the river. There are clean, sandy beaches with wonderful coastal bird life. Coniferous forests dot the town. The new town development will be placed in view of the river. With so many generators of solid waste, however, who wants to live in or visit a town like Basgo? Nobody will want to paddle through trash or visit cluttered beaches dotted with dead animals killed by litter. Nobody will visit coniferous forests dominated, not by pine needles, but by trash. Who will want to live in view of a dirty river that washes up solid waste? Tourism and the population growth will suffer due to the solid waste in Basgo.
 * __Population Growth and Tourism__**

Solid Waste