By Theodora Filis Hong Kong has topped the list of most waste-producing countries in the world, generating 6.34 million tons of garbage in 2009. The mountain of waste takes up an area of about 667 acres. As Hong Kong’s economy grows so does its municipal waste. Municipal waste has been increasing since 1986, mirroring Hong Kong's rapid economic expansion over the same period. The population has grown by more than one million people and each person is throwing away more waste. In 2008, the per capita disposal rate of municipal solid waste was 1.35 kilograms per day. The major dilemma facing the metropolis now is that landfills, where waste is being dumped, are filling up fast, with most expected to be at full capacity by 2015, according to Friends of the Earth data. Figures released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), Hong Kong produces 2,026 lbs of solid waste per capita. This equates to nearly 17,000 tons of garbage per day – enough to fill
It is imperative we all pay attention to the impact of our collective and personal actions on the environment. During the next decade, our global community will be unable to deal effectively with the formidable environmental challenges posed by decades of environmental mismanagement. There are many environmental issues I write about in this blog, some will scare you, and it is my hope, these articles will give you a reason to question and search for answers.