Vital Waste Graphics

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How long does it take for some commonly used products to biodegrade?

Glass bottles, 1 million years and plastic bottles, forever... Plastic Bags

20 TO 1000 YEARS

Batteries Aluminium Cans Tin Cans

Nylon Fabric Leather Shoes

Chewing Gum Wool Socks Cigarette Butts Fruit Peels Paper

1 600 Years

1 500

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1 000

Source: The Coral Reef Alliance & Worldwise

Soil-polluting activities from selected sources

Finland

Sweden

100 %

Emissions of organic water pollutants

Industrial Activities

Denmark

Industrial Waste Disposal Municipal Waste Disposal

Lithuania

50

Germany

Accidents

Others

Austria Hungary

0

Roumania

Bulgaria

Belgium Netherlands

Spain

Liechstenstein

Emissions of organic water pollutants are measured in terms of biochemical oxygen that bacteria in water will consume in breaking down waste.

Source: EEA, 2002

Construction and Demolition

Leachate Leachate is the liquid that forms as water trickles through contaminated areas leaching out the chemicals. For example, the leaching of landfill can result in a leachate containing a cocktail of chemicals. In agricultural areas leaching may concentrate pesticides or fertil- izers and in feedlots bacteria may be leached from the soil. The movement of contaminated leachate may result in hazardous substances entering surface water, groundwater or soil. Air Contamination Air pollution can cause respiratory problems and other adverse health effects as contami- nants are absorbed from the lungs into other parts of the body. Certain air contaminants can also harm animals and humans when they contact the skin. Plants rely on respiration for their growth and can also be affected by expo- sure to contaminants transported in the air.

Feedlot

Manufacturing

Landfill

Agriculture and Forestry

Solvents

Contaminated Groundwater

P ermeable Rock

Leachate

I mp ermeable Rock

Fertilisers & Pesticides

Soil Contamination Contaminants in the soil can harm plants when they take up the contamination through their roots. Ingest- ing, inhaling, or touching contaminated soil, as well as eating plants or animals that have accumulated soil contaminants can adversely impact the health of humans and animals.