Final answer:
The false statement regarding trash in the United States is that there is nothing we can do to reduce the amount of trash we throw away, as we can engage in recycling, composting, and following safe disposal practices. Significant issues include the amount of trash that ends up in landfills and the hazardous nature of some waste materials. Proactive measures and awareness are essential for effective waste management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that is FALSE about trash in the United States is: "There is nothing we can do to reduce the amount of trash we throw away." This assertion is incorrect because there are numerous strategies and proactive measures that individuals and communities can undertake to reduce waste. These include recycling, composting, and following government guidelines for the disposal of hazardous materials, such as electronics which, if not disposed of properly, can release toxic chemicals into the environment.
Garbage creation and disposal is a significant issue in the United States with most trash ending up in landfills. According to government data, each person produces about 2 kg of trash per day. Furthermore, certain items we discard are hazardous, such as obsolete electronics and Styrofoam, which release carcinogens when burned and do not decompose naturally in landfills. It is alarming to consider that items like plastic bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose in a landfill, and with at least 50 million plastic bottles being thrown away each day in the U.S., the problem is significant.
It is also important to recognize the volume of food waste generated; over 40 million tons sent to landfills in 2017 alone. Controlling and reducing garbage are vital environmental and health concerns, with actions being necessary at both the local and global levels to manage waste more effectively and sustainably.