IMAGE : PROPERTY OF PETRO DIAMANT & EARTH ALIVE 365

This image is part of a series of images for the Earth Alive 365 Awareness Portfolio for Near Threatened & Endangered Species

PETRO DIAMANT & EARTH ALIVE 365 do not promote nor encourage taking images with animals. We do also do not promote nor encourage taking images at dumpsites and landfills. This image is used to raise awareness on current issues pertaining to plastic, plastic pollution, consumerism and humanities impact on the Earth and all we share it with.

TIRED OF WASTE Awareness Art : Landfills & Dumpsites

Awareness Artist for Near Threatened and Endangered Species: Petro Diamant

Photographer : Lindie Prinsloo

Read the Mission Statement here mission statement

GLOBAL POPULATION WASTE 

It is estimated that the world generates 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, with at least 33 percent of that—extremely conservatively and not managed in an environmentally safe manner at all. Worldwide, waste generated per person per day averages 0.74 kilogram but ranges widely, from 0.11 to 4.54 kilograms. Though this only account for 16 percent of the world’s population, high-income countries generate about 34 percent, or 683 million tons, of the world’s waste.

The East Asia and Pacific region is generating most of the world’s waste, at 23 percent, and the Middle East and North Africa region is producing the least in absolute terms, at 6 percent. However, the fastest growing regions are Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, where, by 2050, total waste generation is expected to more than triple.

To say that we have a huge problem is an understatement. Being on the road for the past couple of months have opened my eyes to waste management issues region to region. Seeing animals, both on land and in the ocean, struggle with human waste and pollution. The big question is who will catapult us into the right direction? Consumers or producers along with retailers.

Read Trends in Solid Waste Management

South Africans generate roughly an estimate of 54,2 million tons of general (municipal, commercial, and industrial) waste per year. Of this 54,2 million of tons of waste, a maximum of only 10% is recycled or recovered for other uses, whilst at least 90% is landfilled or dumped. Read more...

It is said that the the world produces enough waste annually to fill 822,000 Olympic-sized pools and this number is increasing.