The Waste Equation

The products we use daily are largely made from materials like plastic, metal, and paper that don’t just disappear when we throw them away. Much of this waste ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment, where it can take years to break down and may harm ecosystems, wildlife, and water systems. Understanding how material production, consumption, and disposal are connected helps us see the big picture of pollution and sustainability. On this page, you’ll explore how different materials become waste, why some are harder to recycle than others, and what you can do to reduce waste and protect the planet.