“11 million tons annually”.. Iraq faces a stifling environmental crisis with rising waste rates

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[size=52]“11 million tons annually”.. Iraq faces a stifling environmental crisis with rising waste rates[/size]

[size=45]The latest statistics from the Ministry of Planning in Iraq show staggering figures that highlight the country’s growing environmental challenges. The amount of waste collected annually has reached about 11 million tons, reflecting the volume of pollution and waste that poses a major threat to the environment.[/size]
[size=45]In addition, statistics indicate that the average waste generated by each Iraqi individual reaches 1.5 kg per day, which puts increasing pressure on waste management systems and calls for urgent measures to reduce this environmental degradation.[/size]
[size=45]Environmental expert Mohammed Al Khater says, “The amount of waste removed annually, which amounts to 11 million tons, represents a large part of the environmental problem that Iraq suffers from,” noting that “this number reflects the increase in waste due to several factors such as population expansion, rapid urbanization, and the lack of environmental awareness among individuals.”[/size]
[size=45]He added, “The average waste generated per person, which is 1.5 kg per day, is high compared to some other countries, which means that individuals in Iraq contribute significantly to increasing the volume of waste,” noting “the lack of effective waste management systems, and the weakness of the infrastructure dedicated to treating and recycling waste.”[/size]
[size=45]Al Khater stressed that “these numbers ring alarm bells, as accumulated waste can lead to serious environmental and health problems. Accumulation of waste negatively affects the soil, water and air, leading to environmental pollution and increased spread of diseases.”[/size]
[size=45]The environmental expert continued, “There is an urgent need to adopt new strategies for waste management in Iraq, including raising environmental awareness among citizens, improving waste treatment infrastructure, and activating recycling programs. He also called on the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to address these environmental challenges and ensure a healthier environment for future generations.”[/size]
[size=45]Waste covers large areas in various Iraqi governorates, making it vulnerable to burning by citizens to get rid of it and the unpleasant odors emanating from it, which causes toxic fumes to rise in those areas, and consequently suffocation among the residents.[/size]
[size=45]Although Iraq is the country most exposed to the risk of environmental pollution due to the waste resulting from wars and the waste spread in city centers, districts, sub-districts, and even in villages and rural areas.[/size]
[size=45]Tons of waste are subjected to random dumping every day, especially in the capital, Baghdad, where a large portion of it, estimated at about 30 thousand tons of solid waste and medical waste, is buried daily, which exposes citizens to harm, environmental pollutants and various diseases.[/size]
[size=45]It is worth noting that there are many projects to establish factories to recycle waste and convert it into usable materials, such as fertilizers or sorting solid materials in it, which have been proposed during the past years, but in 2014, due to the financial crisis and the war on ISIS, most of them stopped, which prompted the Baghdad Municipality to bury them using traditional methods.[/size]
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