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Waste has existed since the beginning of life. In the
beginning, and for less evolved forms of life, waste was basically
the metabolism’s waste products: excrement. Nowadays, and for the
more evolved forms of life, the waste from individuals' activities
must be added; in the case of human society, urban waste, waste from
building and industrial waste.
Many species of animals, particularly humans, instinctively tend to
get rid of their own waste “in the best possible way”, trying to
avoid any subsequent contact with it by throwing it away in the
environment.
This behaviour is the main reason for lack of progress in the field
of waste disposal techniques (for example in the building and
management of tips). In addition, particularly in the past, and to a
certain extent even today, this traditional behaviour led to
increased discrimination against the social classes who had anything
to do with waste: there is no |
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doubt that, even in our highly evolved
society, economists, lawyers, doctors, specialists in
electronics, architects, planners, etc. are more highly
respected by the population in general than those involved
in the correct disposal of waste. Despite this, the role of
the latter is decisive to ensure the survival of the former
and of future generations.
In 1854, Seattle, an Indian chief, in a speech he is said to have
given before the Congress of the United States, addressing the
emergent white population, said the following:
“…White people will disappear too; maybe even before all of the
other tribes. Infect your beds and one night you shall drown in your
waste…It is the end of life and the beginning of survival”.
Let’s make sure that this speech helps us to open our eyes and that
it is not a prophesy of our future. |
