English: Position Paper

Bea Rosales

Rose Sison

12 HUMSS

Accumulated mass of garbage in an area affects the community’s environment and the
residents

Garbage have been a common yet serious problem from all part of the world
since it does not just destroy the environment it has an awful smell but where do this
garbage came from? Basically it’s from us, people. We kept on throwing trashes
everywhere when we are also the ones who will suffer from this. One specific problem
of a barangay is the accumulated mass of garbage in an area of the community and it
destroys the environment of the place. We believe that this problem about the garbage
makes the children prone to different diseases, it produces an awful smell that makes
people want to throw up and it is a hindrance to the development of the community.

Garbage have a lot of germs and viruses in it and if the trashes were put in a
place and left for several days the bacteria would start growing and would result to
spreading of different diseases. For example, a tire with water inside was left there for
several days where mosquitoes could lay and breed eggs. There’s a huge probability
that dengue could happen within the community and may affect the children playing
outside. In addition, according to DOH-NCR, the uncollected garbage can cause
disease outbreaks since it attracts flies, cockroaches and rats that can spread diseases.
The pile of garbage excretes a disgusting smell that makes you jerk away from it or
even throw up when you smell it and according to Peter Larson, a waste management
engineer: tons of garbage is a health hazard since it contains biogas which can be
explosive and a suffocation hazard because it does not contain oxygen and it is a
source of air pollution. Lastly, it is a hindrance for the community’s development
because it is a source of diseases and air pollution, it destroys the environment, it gives
off a bad smell, it makes the community looks dirty. But still there are solutions wherein
this problem can be solved; one of it is start cleaning it, giving all the piled up garbage to
the waste management on time and differentiating the trash bins for the biodegradable
and non-biodegradable and lastly is to make sure that the trash are being collected
every day.

Garbage is always and will always be a problem if every citizen does not take
care of their environment but with proper guidelines and self-disciplined, everything can
be well taken care of. Garbage destroys the community and greatly affects the residents
and their health. It is important to learn the basics of recycling so that the waste that
does end up in landfills can be disposed of properly. Plastics, metals, papers and
certain types of glass can all be recycled. If you send these items to junk shops it can
be reused and returned to consumers. That way they won’t end up as trash or hurting
the environment.

Sources:

http://www.philstar.com/metro/2012/08/18/839389/uncollected-trash-can-cause-
disease-outbreaks

https://www.quora.com/Is-the-smell-of-garbage-a-health-hazard

http://www.livestrong.com/article/124375-effects-improper-garbage-disposal/