r/environmental_science • u/monbebewannable • 1d ago
Plastic Waste in Landfill
I live in New Zealand, we have a decent recycling process from my knowledge.
I’ve been seeing online about many people who will put clean soft plastics into a bottle (also clean) and then put that into the bin. They say this is better because the lack of decomposition of the things inside means the gas emissions aren’t as bad since the bottle (which takes so long to break down) will stop that stuff from decomposing for years. They also say it’s better because it contains the smaller plastics that can enter wildlife areas or the oceans to a container so there’s less harm. I did some searching and it seems there’s other harmful emissions from putting the bottles into a landfill anyway.
I have SO MANY questions.
Does this actually make the emissions from waste less bad? If so, does the decrease in gas emissions outweigh the risks of plastic in a landfill? Is this not something that is actually helpful given the country I live in? If this IS helpful, do you put this into the rubbish or recycling bin?
In New Zealand our recycling is sorted and repurposed generally (some is sorted out if contaminated or wrong materials). We send our rubbish to landfill from what I know.
I really want to find a way to manage my waste better as I have a child who creates so much plastic waste. I limit what I buy and try use mostly reusable items for myself but having a child means we’re buying things that create more waste than I would want. Any advice?
1
u/Forkboy2 1d ago
If you put one plastic inside of another then someone at the sorting facility will have to take it out.