Waste Management

Even with the tremendous increase in the regulation of waste since the early 1970s, many problems still exist with hazardous and other wastes. Citizens often express their concerns about this issue. However, governments have a limited amount of money to spend on environmental protection. As the twenty-first century begins, governments and industry strive to continue to improve the efficiency of recycling and disposal. Governments in the United States and elsewhere will also rely more on waste prevention strategies, because of their lower cost and greater environmental benefit.

The greatest impetus for waste prevention will likely come from the public. More and more citizens will come to understand that pesticides, excessive packaging, and the use of disposable rather than durable items have important environmental costs. Through the growth of the information society, knowledge about these and other environmental issues will increase. This should result in a continuing evolution towards more efficient and environmentally sensitive waste management.