Science Q&A: Waste

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Everyone makes waste. Food, paper, plastic, and anything else you throw away is considered waste. Food waste, make up of rotting meat, fruits, and vegetables, makes up only 8.9 percent of garbage. Glass, paper, and plastic, which constitute a major part of waste, can be recycled. The average American throws away 32 pounds (12kg) of garbage a week. That adds up to 1,664 pounds (621kg) of garbage a year. The amount of waste in the world has a big impact on the environment. If waste is not handled properly, it can pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land on which we live. Scientists have had to come up with creative ways to handle the waste produced in the world, from designing better landfills to developing new methods of recycling.