The Big Picture

Every year, humans create more than 2 billion tons of waste, that’s how much waste we make in just one year! The problem is growing, and here are some of the biggest challenges:

Landfills:

• Most trash goes to landfills , but landfills take up a lot of space and release harmful gases like methane , which causes climate change .
• Some landfills leak into the soil and water , harming plants , animals , and even humans .

Ocean Plastics:

• Every year, 8 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean . That’s like dumping one garbage truck full of plastic into the water every minute!
• Plastic harms sea animals , who often mistake it for food .

E-Waste (Electronic Waste):

• Old phones , computers , and TVs are often thrown away instead of recycled .
• E-waste contains harmful chemicals that can leak into the soil and water , causing pollution.

Food Waste:

• About one-third of all food produced is wasted . That’s enough food to feed 2 billion people every year!
• Wasted food rots in landfills and releases methane , contributing to climate change .

Imagine all the waste we create every year is a big pie . Each slice of the pie shows what happens to that waste: Landfills (37%): This is the biggest slice of the pie. Most trash ends up in landfills, where it’s buried. Problem: Landfills take up space and release harmful gases like methane, which causes climate change . Recycled/Composted (33%): This slice shows waste that’s recycled (like bottles and paper) or composted (like food scraps). Good news: Recycling and composting help reduce waste and protect the environment! Open Dumps (22%): This slice is trash thrown in places without proper management—like open fields or rivers. Problem: Open dumps pollute soil, water, and air, harming animals, plants, and people . Incinerated (8%): This tiny slice is waste that’s burned in incinerators to create energy. Problem: It reduces waste but releases air pollution and greenhouse gases .