In our fast-growing world, waste volume is in direct proportion with population growth, hence waste is competing for space with man. Therefore if man does not do something to waste, waste will do something to man.
Yet, for many people, open waste burning is the handy “solution”. This practice may seem convenient, but it is a suicide mission for both the environment and our health—a ticking time bomb ready to unleash its consequences.
The Alarming Truth About Waste Burning
Burning waste, particularly in open spaces (when not in approved incinerators), releases a cocktail of toxic substances, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and dioxins. These compounds are known to harm the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and some are classified as carcinogenic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution from waste burning is one of the major environmental health risks worldwide, contributing to millions of premature deaths annually. It kills more than banditry, indulgence and war.
This practice is especially harmful because it does not discriminate by region or community, the polluter or the compliant, the regulator or the regulated. Those living near open burning sites are disproportionately affected, facing a higher risk of respiratory infections, cancers, and chronic health conditions. The exposure is often compounded in areas, where waste management infrastructure is lacking, leading to a cycle of environmental injustice.
A Catalyst for Climate Change
Aside from its immediate health impacts, waste burning significantly contributes to climate change. When waste—especially organic waste—is burned, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere far more effectively than carbon dioxide. Methane emissions accelerate global warming, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss.
Toxic Exposure and Long-Term Health Impacts
Every toxic emissions will accelerate climate change and push our planet beyond its safe boundaries.
One of the most hazardous outcomes of waste burning is the release of dioxins and furans, toxic compounds that persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain. These substances, often produced when plastics are burned, can cause serious health issues, including cancer, immune system damage, reproductive and developmental problems, and endocrine disruption.
Dioxins are particularly insidious because they bioaccumulate, meaning they build up in the tissues of living organisms over time. For humans, this bioaccumulation results in lifelong exposure and increased risk, especially for communities near burn sites. Future generations are also affected as dioxins can pass through the placental barrier, impacting fetal development.
Open Burning is a Misguided Solution to a Manageable Problem
Open burning of waste often happens out of necessity, particularly in areas lacking formal waste management systems. However, solutions do exist that make this practice unnecessary. Waste separation at the source, recycling, composting, and safe disposal practices such as engaging professional waste management companies are critical. They may require investment and infrastructure, but the payoff is substantial in terms of environmental health, climate resilience, and public well-being.
The global shift towards sustainable waste management emphasizes reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. As part of this effort, governments, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to reduce waste production, reuse materials wherever possible, and recycle items that can be transformed into new products.
In developing nations, there is a pressing need for public awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of waste burning. Informing citizens about alternatives, such as composting and recycling, is crucial to breaking this toxic habit. Local governments must also be empowered to enforce stricter regulations on waste burning and to invest in sustainable waste management solutions that prioritize community health.
Let’s act now: Addressing the Time Bomb
The time for action is now. Waste burning is not only a health risk but a looming environmental catastrophe. Every community, business, and government has a role in ensuring a sustainable, waste-free future.
Conclusion
Waste burning is a crisis waiting to happen—a literal time bomb. It not only threatens our immediate environment but also jeopardizes the health of future generations. While the problem is severe, it is solvable. Through collective effort, sustainable practices, and decisive action, we can defuse this ticking bomb and create a cleaner, healthier world. Ending waste burning isn’t just an environmental choice; it’s a moral imperative. The cost of inaction is too high to ignore.
Femi Kinrin G. S. (CWMgr)