What Pollutes the Land?

Domestic Waste

• Domestic waste is a major contributor to land pollution. Domestic waste includes garbage from your home including everything from food waste and paper to large appliances and mattresses. Reduce this by recycling domestic waste or reusable items. Take recyclable materials, such as cardboard, newspaper, plastic and glass to a recycling center. For what is not recycled, garbage maintenance companies may burn domestic waste so it takes up less space. However, a large amount of domestic waste still ends up in landfills designated by the local government. In landfills, workers compact down the garbage and cover it up with soil. Unfortunately, this process takes up land space and contributes to land pollution because non-biodegradable waste accumulates in the landfills.

Industrial Waste

• Industrial waste pollutes the land because industrial processes often release harmful chemicals into the land. For instance, industrial waste from mining and manufacturing can be toxic, flammable or corrosive. These chemicals also react with other chemicals or natural occurrences to create situations dangerous to your health or the environment. Industrial waste creates land pollution when industries deposit the waste in a landfill or hold it in a lagoon. Once harmful chemicals seep into the land, they can contaminate the nearby water, land and food supply.

Agricultural Waste

• Agricultural waste, combined with poor soil management and irrigation techniques, also leads to land pollution. Agricultural waste also occurs because of the natural processes of farming in the deposition of solid animal waste. Farmers can harm the land when they overly till the land or add chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers may also harm the land by improperly irrigating the land. If land is not properly irrigated, salt or agricultural waste products accumulate and taint the land. The failure to use sustainable farming techniques depletes the land of nutrients and creates a potential for contaminated soil.

Ways to Prevent Land Pollution

• The most proactive way to prevent land pollution is to reduce the amount of waste you create at home and at the office. Likewise, recycle waste or reuse nonbiodegradable items when possible. Inform yourself as to the practices of industries and farms in your community. Community efforts to encourage responsible industry and sustainable farming may encourage others to reduce land pollution.