Some landfills are mostly safe. In less well-off countries, where the is not enough funding to properly build and care for the myriad of ever-growing landfills, or without sufficient protection from corruption and greed, they are quite the opposite of safe and plastics play a huge part in it.
We have permanently smouldering dumps near almost every town. Some 20 or more years ago it wasn't much of an issue, as most trash burned reasonably well, and it reduced the volume, so it was practical. It wans't good or clean, but now there is so much plastic that it creates toxic clouds spreading through the town. Burning plastic makes horrendous smoke, and its impractical to extinguish the dump fire both politically and physically.
Recycling has helped a bit, but our landfills are not safe. They are literally poisoning everyone in the area.
Some landfills are mostly safe. In less well-off countries, where the is not enough funding to properly build and care for the myriad of ever-growing landfills, or without sufficient protection from corruption and greed, they are quite the opposite of safe and plastics play a huge part in it.
We have permanently smouldering dumps near almost every town. Some 20 or more years ago it wasn't much of an issue, as most trash burned reasonably well, and it reduced the volume, so it was practical. It wans't good or clean, but now there is so much plastic that it creates toxic clouds spreading through the town. Burning plastic makes horrendous smoke, and its impractical to extinguish the dump fire both politically and physically.
Recycling has helped a bit, but our landfills are not safe. They are literally poisoning everyone in the area.