8 dangers of burning rubbish carelessly for the environment
Burning rubbish in the yard or on vacant land may seem like a practical way to reduce waste piles. However, this habit can actually create new problems for the environment, especially if the burnt waste is mixed with plastic, rubber, or other materials.
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) identifies waste burning as one of the sources of air pollution. Smoke from burning waste can contain various pollutants that impact health and environmental quality.
The problem is that smoke from burning does not only stop around the place where the waste is burnt. Particles and pollutants can be carried by the wind, enter homes, and affect the air inhaled by humans and animals.
So, what are the risks of burning rubbish carelessly for the environment?
- Pollutes the air
The most visible risk is the decline in air quality around the burning site.
Burnt waste produces smoke and particles that can pollute the air. The Ministry of Health states that waste burning is one of the sources of air pollution, along with vehicle emissions, industry, and other sources.
Polluted air does not only make the environment feel stuffy or smelly. Pollutant particles can also be inhaled and enter the respiratory tract.
Therefore, burning rubbish in the yard does not actually mean the smoke disappears. The waste is physically reduced, but some of the combustion products move into the air.
- Produces hazardous substances from plastic
Household waste often consists of various types of materials. One of them is plastic.
Burning plastic carelessly can produce smoke containing dangerous pollutants. The Ministry of Health reminds that waste burning, especially plastic, can produce pollutants that are harmful to health.
This is the reason why waste should not simply be burnt, especially if we do not know the materials contained in it.
- Ash residue can pollute the soil
Many people consider ash as a residue that is no longer dangerous. In fact, residue from waste burning can be a problem in itself.
Material from burnt waste can remain as ash and then mix with the soil. Under certain conditions, these pollutants can also be carried by rainwater into the soil layer or surrounding water sources.
The Ministry of Health notes that the habit of burning waste can produce toxic chemicals that pollute the air. Combustion residue can also pollute soil and groundwater.
This means that even though the fire has gone out and the smoke has disappeared, the impact of burning is not necessarily over.
- Potentially pollutes water sources
Ash and combustion residue in the soil can be carried by water when it rains.
If the burning site is near a drain, river, or other water source, the material can potentially enter the water flow. In the long term, this condition can affect the quality of the aquatic environment.
This risk becomes greater if the burnt waste consists of various materials and not only organic waste such as leaves or twigs.
- Disturbs living creatures around the burning site
Smoke from waste burning can spread to the surrounding environment and disrupt air quality. Not only humans are affected, but also animals and plants.
The Ministry of Health explains that air pollution can affect human health, other living creatures, and various elements of the environment.
If burning is carried out repeatedly in the same environment, pollutant exposure can also occur repeatedly. Therefore, the problem of burning waste should not be considered a small issue that only occurs for a few minutes.
- Risks triggering a wider fire
Burning rubbish in open spaces also carries the risk of fire spreading, especially when done in dry and windy environmental conditions.
Fire that initially comes from a pile of waste can spread to grass, dry leaves, shrubs, or other flammable materials. If the location is near vacant land or an area with dry vegetation, the fire can develop more widely.
This risk becomes increasingly important to pay attention to when Indonesia enters the dry season. Small fires can become more difficult to control when environmental conditions are dry.
- Disturbs ecosystem balance
Pollution from waste burning can ultimately put pressure on ecosystems.
Polluted air, residue left in the soil, and material carried into water bodies can affect organisms living in that environment. If pollution occurs continuously, habitat quality can also decline.
Therefore, the waste problem is actually not only related to environmental cleanliness. The way waste is managed is also related to ecosystem sustainability.
- Waste does not actually disappear
This is often overlooked. When waste is burnt, some material does turn into ash, but some turns into smoke and various combustion products.
In other words, waste does not truly “disappear”. Some of its material moves into the air and can leave residue in the environment.
The Ministry of Health also encourages better waste management through sorting. Organic waste, inorganic waste, and hazardous and toxic waste (B3) have different characteristics so their handling cannot be treated the same.
So, how should waste be managed?
A simple step that can be taken is to start sorting waste by type. Organic waste such as food scraps, leaves, and grass clippings can be processed into compost. Meanwhile, inorganic waste such as plastic bottles, cardboard, or metal can be sorted for reuse or channelled into recycling systems.
The Ministry of Health states that waste sorting can help reduce waste piles while reducing air pollution.
For waste that cannot be processed independently, it is better to use the waste management services available in each region rather than burning it.