In Florida, garbage burning has been on the rise. Residents say the burning of trash is making them sicker than ever before. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDOP) says the boom in burning waste stems from an increased amount of trash being produced in the state. According to FDOP, with the population growth in Florida, comes more trash, and residents are feeling the side effects.
Sickness caused by burning trash isn’t news to many people in Florida. Long-term exposure to burning garbage can cause respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other serious health concerns. The FDOP recommends that residents create less waste in order to reduce the amount of burning and associated pollution. Moving away from single-use plastics, eliminating unnecessary packaging, and utilizing more reusable items are all great ways to reduce your waste.
Residents in Florida say the smog and smoke from the burning garbage has become unbearable, impacting their quality of life and posing a serious health risk. Some towns, like Marathon, are restricting the hours of garbage burning in order to reduce the amount of smoke and air pollution. While local regulations can help, the FDOP is encouraging Floridians to take action and reduce their own waste.
Composting, recycling, and donating items are all great ways to reduce waste and lower the amount of burning. It’s also recommended that residents stay updated with their municipality’s plans on garbage burning, so they can hold their local government accountable and ensure garbage burning is quickly and properly addressed.
With Florida’s population continuing to grow quickly, reducing excess waste is essential to keep residents and the environment safe. The FDOP is determined to reduce the amount of burning and create a healthier future for Floridians.
