Approximately 20 percent of industrial solid waste is associated with the production and use of oil and gas, while another 12 percent comes from mining. Municipal waste makes up about one percent of the total. An interesting fact worldwide, is that solid waste tends to increase with the level of economic. Large cities in industrial countries, such as New York, produce 3.0 to 4.0 pounds per day. This supports the suggestion that the U.S. has become an increasingly wasteful society.
Solid waste is one of the environmental concerns that is receiving the most attention by the public.
Later in this paper various solutions and actions people are taking to combat this problem will be discussed. Methods f or managing waste have definite environmental impact. The pollution of ground water and surface water is caused by waste disposal in landfills. As organic waste decays, methane is produces and creates the potential for explosions. When waste is incinerated, effluent gases may contain hazardous air pollutants.