WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS; WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN

Jamie Loh is the Co-Founder of The Asher Park (Community Social Enterprise). It is her vision and message for all sentient beings on planet Earth.

- JAMIE LOH

Unless you are in the waste management business, an environmentalist, or live near waste treatment plants or dumpsites, it is likely that you may be completely unaware of the immensity and perpetual problem that our planet’s waste generation has become and will continue to be so.

According to the “World Bank’s Trends in Solid Waste Management to 2050” Report, one person, on average, generates 0.74 kilogrammes per day. This ranges widely from 0.11 to 4.54 kilogrammes, where high income countries generate about 34 percent (683 million tonnes) of the world’s waste. Global waste, it reports, is expected to grow to 3.4 billion tonnes by 2050. This incredibly frightening statistic should trigger loud alarm bells for the entire human race and survival of our entire ecosystem.

Whilst 51 percent of dry waste generated can be recycled or upcycled, the actual recycling rate is widely reported to be below 5 percent. This is as the costs, effort, and carbon emissions generated in the recycling process far outweighs its benefits. Simply put, whilst well-intentioned, recycling is limited and not a sustainable long-term model to manage the wastes we are generating.

In lower-income countries, we may too well be aware of what happens to the waste. It may be right on our doorsteps or in illegal dumpsites at every turn, impacting the quality of life and health of all who are forced to live in such situations.