Given the amount of waste and chemicals we discharge into the environment, it is hard to see how people or organisations can make any meaningful change with the way we do things. The most important, and perhaps the most cost-effective way of preventing and controlling land pollution is education and public awareness.
Public education
Communities must invest in sound and engaging environmental education, where the harmful effects of land pollution are well communicated.
Policy and strategy
Governments and local councils have a role to play too. Local farms, industries and mining businesses, health centres and public places must be given the right training and capacity to dispose of hazardous waste. These must be very well supervised and enforced with very hard penalties for businesses that do not comply. Already polluted places and landfills must be secured by local authorities with the aim of reversing the damage they are causing.
Families and households
Individuals and families can also play a vital role here. Households must be empowered and encouraged to cut the amount of waste produced. For example, tax incentives can be given to households that create less waste, and fees for households who create more. These ways, people will make a conscious effort not to create waste in the first place. Additionally, hazardous waste disposals should be accessible to all, so that people are encouraged to send hazardous waste in for proper disposal.
Recycling
People should learn to separate the household and office waste for recycling purposes. Recycling is key to keeping junk away from landfills and also reducing our reliance on new raw materials.