Learn how Rubix LS is leading the charge
Harmful pollutants in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat can negatively impact our health. Tragically, more than 12 million people across the globe die every year because they work or live in unhealthy environments. But where do these environmental pollutants come from?
Waste – ranging from everyday trash to the by-products of industrial processes – is a major culprit.
Oftentimes, we hear about the environmental impacts of waste, from plastic filling up our oceans to heavy metals killing wildlife and industrial runoff polluting our soil. But waste isn’t just an environmental concern; it’s a pressing public health crisis. When we pollute our environment, we contaminate the basic resources that we rely on to survive, including our food and water supply.
Respiratory conditions, neurological disorders, and cancer clusters have all been linked to prolonged exposure to environmental toxins. Those risks are elevated in areas with underdeveloped waste management practices, leading to health disparities.
Why Recycling Isn’t the Solution We Hoped For
Recycling is often touted as the solution to physical waste. Instead of tossing our plastic bottles, metal cans, and paper bags into a landfill, we can reuse them, meaning there is no impact on the environment. Right?
Unfortunately, recycling is not the magic bullet that we have been promised. For example, only around 9% of plastics actually get recycled. Many of the plastics that we use today – toothpaste containers, chip bags, and more – are considered “single use” plastics because it is more energy- and cost-effective to create them from scratch than to recycle them. Other issues, such as improper material sorting and processing inefficiencies, further disrupt even the most well-intended recycling efforts.
As a result, 91% of plastics are landfilled, incinerated, or dumped into rivers, streams, and oceans, leading to pollution that negatively impacts our health, including:
Air Pollution: Poor waste management leads to the burning of plastics and industrial waste, releasing carcinogens like dioxins, benzene, and microplastics into the air. This can lead to an increased risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and more.
Water Contamination: Non-biodegradable materials and improperly disposed chemicals can seep into water supplies, increasing risks of gastrointestinal cancers, neurological disorders, and developmental issues.
Soil Contamination: Landfills and industrial waste sites expose populations to arsenic, lead, and other hazardous compounds linked to long-term health conditions – ranging from cognitive impairment in children to increased risks of bladder cancer and chronic kidney disease.
Why Some Countries are Winning the Waste Battle and Others Are Losing
Recycling and waste management practices vary greatly across the world. Scandinavian Countries, like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, have advanced recycling programs. For example, only 1% of Sweden’s trash is sent to landfills, 52% is converted into energy, and the remaining 47% gets recycled. The prioritization of effective waste management policies in these countries can significantly reduce pollution and public health risks.
By contrast, countries with informal or underdeveloped recycling systems, such as Indonesia, Nigeria, India, and Turkey, struggle with high levels of waste exposure. In many cases, local economies rely on unsafe waste practices, amplifying health risks.
These disparities can even exist within a single country's borders. In the United States, for example, inconsistent recycling laws and industrial zoning can disproportionately impact marginalized communities, deepening health disparities.
In fact, research finds that areas with higher-than-average white and Native American populations have been consistently exposed to lower air pollution levels than areas with higher-than-average Black, Asian and Hispanic or Latino populations.
How Data and Technology Can Help Stop Waste-Driven Health Crises
Despite the clear evidence of pollution’s health risks, research is still lacking.
This is particularly true of pollution’s impact on marginalized communities. As a first step, more research should be conducted to provide clinico-environment mapping that correlates environmental hazards with disease prevalence. From cancer clusters near industrial dumping grounds to respiratory issues in urban areas with poor air quality, data can underscore the areas where interventions are most needed.
Emerging technologies, such as precision environmental monitoring, can offer real-time tracking of pollution levels, allowing policymakers to better regulate and proactively address health threats.
At-risk geographies can also prioritize innovative recycling programs that bring health outcomes to the forefront. These solutions include circular economy initiatives that reduce landfill dependency, policies that hold industries accountable for irresponsible waste production, and more.
By embedding sustainability into public health strategies, governments can improve environmental conditions while also reducing the economic burden of disease treatment and healthcare costs.
How Rubix LS is Leading the Charge
Rubix LS integrates geospatial environmental exposure mapping, real-time health surveillance through acoustic and environmental sensors, and advanced analytical methodologies to enable early detection and mitigation of pollutant-related health impacts.
By leveraging data-driven insights and technology, we help identify high-risk areas and support the implementation of effective waste management and pollution control strategies.
Our commitment to health equity and sustainability ensures that at-risk populations receive the attention they deserve, bridging the gap between environmental challenges and public health solutions.
Simple Steps You Can Take to Reduce Waste Risks
While systemic change is crucial, individuals can also play a significant role in reducing waste-related health risks. Here are some actionable steps that all of us can take to contribute:
Reducing Reliance on Single-Use Plastics: Opt for reusable items over single-use plastics. This can be anything ranging from water bottles to shopping bags and eating utensils.
Investing in Durable Products: Avoid brands that make inexpensive, non-durable items. While it may be tempting to purchase a cheap t-shirt, for example, the material likely won’t last long, meaning you’ll have to throw it out and purchase a new one sooner. Invest in products that are made to last (even if they're a bit more expensive upfront).
Support Policy Changes: Advocate for stronger environmental regulations and waste management policies by getting involved in your local politics or community clean-up projects. Oftentimes, the most impactful changes can come from the grassroots level!
Dispose of Waste Responsibly: Learn about local recycling and hazardous waste disposal programs to ensure proper waste handling.
Waste Management is a Public Health Emergency - Agree?
Research suggests that global waste is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050, more than double the population growth over the same period. Without urgent intervention, our health crisis will only escalate.
Waste management isn’t just about keeping our environment clean – it’s about survival. In order to build healthier and more equitable communities, governments, industries, and individuals must work together to prioritize sustainable practices.