Waste Management – Sustainable Development Success Factor

Industrijalizacija, porast broja stanovništva te nedovoljna čovjekova svijest o negativnom utjecaju svakodnevnih aktivnosti na vlastito okruženje, glavni su uzročnici onečišćenja i štetnih pojava u okolišu. Kako bi se smanjile novonastale štete, dolazi do pojave koncepta održivog razvoja koji je usmjeren na očuvanje prirodnih resursa te kako bi i nadolazeće generacije mogle imati jednake prilike i uvjete za život. Cilj koncepta održivog razvoja je upravo bilo racionalno korištenje resursa budući da se godinama nije takav pristup stavljao u prvi plan. Održivim razvojem nastojalo se i stvoriti ekonomsku stabilnost, gospodarski rast te promicanje jednakosti i očuvanje kulturnog identiteta. Budući da je koncept održivog razvoja pokrenut ponajviše zbog pitanja utjecaja na okoliš, bitno je spomenuti jednog od većih onečišćivača, a to je otpad. Sam otpad je također posljedica već spomenutih pojava industrijalizacije, porasta populacije i manjka čovjekove uključenosti u pitanja zaštite okoliša. Otpad svakodnevno ostavlja velike posljedice na okoliš, neovisno radilo se to o vodama, tlu, zraku ili čak čovjekovom zdravlju. Kako bi se smanjio taj negativan utjecaj, rješenje je pronađeno u raznim tehnologijama i aktivnostima gospodarenja otpadom te konceptu poput zero waste-a ili modela cirkularne ekonomije.Industrialization, population growth, and lack of human awareness of the negative impact of their daily activities on their own surroundings are the main causes of pollution and harmful phenomena in the environment. In order to reduce the caused damage, the concept of sustainable development has been introduced. It is aimed at preserving natural resources and so that future generations could have equal opportunities and living conditions. The main goal of sustainable development was, precisely, the rational use of resources, since for years such an approach has not been put in the foreground. Sustainable development also sought to create economic stability, economic growth, promotion of equality, and preservation of cultural identity. Since the concept of sustainable development was initiated mainly due to the issue of environmental impact, it is important to mention one of the major polluters, which is waste. Waste itself is also a consequence of the already mentioned phenomena of industrialization, population growth, and lack of human involvement in environmental issues. When it comes to the consequences of waste pollution, it has a great impact on the environment, whether it is water, soil, air, or even human health. To reduce this negative impact, a solution has been found in various waste management technologies and activities, but also concepts, such as zero waste or circular economy model